Author: Momo Chan

My husband, Leon Ronald, died suddenly of a heart attack. By the time I arrived at the crematorium, he had already been pushed into the incinerator. Before I could even arrange a funeral, the loan sharks were knocking at my door. It turned out the company’s finances had been in a dire state for a long time, barely kept afloat by high-interest loans. With the company on the verge of bankruptcy, my brother, Madison Wills, and I were working three jobs each just to try and keep up with the debt. Then, Madison was beaten to death by debt collectors, leaving me to shoulder the entire burden alone. One day, while washing dishes at a hotel, I saw my supposedly dead husband celebrating his wedding anniversary with Rachel Tate, my brother’s wife! And to add insult to injury, Rachel’s child was calling my husband “Dad”! I confronted them in rage, but these two despicable lovers shoved me into a pot of boiling oil, mercilessly stabbing my head with a fork. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the day Leon had his heart attack. A piercing pain shot through me. I cried out and abruptly opened my eyes. I was standing on a busy street, and people bustled around me. A car sped past, the driver leaning out the window and yelling, “What the hell, are you trying to get yourself killed?” His words snapped me back to reality. I pulled out my phone, and my heart skipped a beat. I had traveled back in time to the day Leon faked his death! Thank God! He had given me a second chance. In my past life, I was shopping when I received the news of Leon’s death from a heart attack. By the time I rushed to the crematorium, his “body” had already been sent into the incinerator. But now, my phone was still silent. Leon was probably busy orchestrating his fake death. I hurried back to my car. A mature-looking man sat in the passenger seat, acting like a child, as he licked his ice cream cone with intense concentration. He grinned when he saw me. “Bella, you’re back!” He was my brother, Madison. Due to an intellectual disability, his mental capacity remained that of a young child. Because of this, before my father passed away, he entrusted his company not to Madison but to me. However, in my past life, I was utterly consumed by love. My entire world revolved around Leon, and I refused even to consider working. And so, Leon took over my father’s company. And I became a stay-at-home wife. But I never could have imagined that Leon was a truly despicable man. He embezzled the company’s assets and took out huge loans in the company’s name. He even had an affair with Rachel, and they faked his death together to escape the debt. Naturally, the responsibility for repaying those debts fell on Madison and me. With the mind of a child, Madison was never suited for work. He was bullied relentlessly and eventually beaten to death by debt collectors. “Bella, I have another ice cream. You can have it.” Madison held up a half-melted ice cream cone, offering it to me. He stretched his arm out further, worried I couldn’t reach it. Looking at his innocent, carefree expression, the image of him lying broken and bloodied in a pool of his blood flashed through my mind. My heart ached. “Madison, I will protect our home.” On my way to the hospital, I got a call. “Bella, come to the hospital quick! Leon… he… he had a sudden heart attack and died!” It was Rachel, Madison’s wife, the same Rachel who was having an affair with my husband, Leon. I feigned panic. “What? Rachel, don’t worry. I’ll be right there!” I hung up the phone, floored the gas pedal, and sped all the way to the hospital. Seeing me arrive so quickly, Rachel was clearly taken aback. But she quickly put on a mournful expression. “Bella, you have to pull yourself together. Don’t be too sad so Leon can rest in peace.” I pushed her aside. Tears instantly streamed down my face, and I wailed in a high-pitched voice. “Honey, how could you just leave like this… I’m Bella… how could you bear to leave me?” I yanked the white sheet off and threw myself onto Leon’s body, and my tears and snot smeared all over his face. “Honey, wake up and look at me again, okay?” I slapped his face left and right, my freshly manicured 1.97-inch-long nails leaving several bloody marks. “Honey… open your eyes and look at me! Honey, say something!”

The sharp crack of the slap echoed through the hospital room. Blood quickly began to ooze from the mark on Leon’s face. Feigning shock, I gasped, “Rachel, look! The blood on Leon’s face is still fresh. Maybe we can still save him!” With that, I placed both hands on his chest and began to press down with all my might. What no one knew was that I had a nail clutched in my hand, digging it deep into Leon’s flesh. I pushed with every ounce of strength I had, practically climbing into the bed to add more force. “Honey, wake up! You have to keep fighting!” I cried. Rachel rushed over and pulled me back. “Bella, calm down. Leon is gone. You can’t bring him back like this!” I sobbed and struggled against her grip. “I don’t believe it! He promised to protect me forever. He wouldn’t leave me!” I broke free from Rachel, who collapsed into Madison’s arms. My mind raced, and I remembered the stun gun I had just bought for Madison. “Madison, give me the stun gun.” Rachel’s face paled. “Bella, what are you doing?” Tears welled up in my eyes, and I choked out, “I just feel like we could try to revive Leon one more time. If the hospital won’t do it, then I will! The principle is basically the same, right?” In the next second, I flipped open the taser and jabbed it into Leon’s chest without hesitation, pressing down with all my might. The electric current surged through his body, making the bed shake violently. His eyelids fluttered open, and his eyes rolled back in his head. “Look!” I cried out in astonishment. “It’s working! Leon’s showing signs of life!” Rachel lunged forward and snatched the taser away, and her face was pale as a sheet. “Bella, I know you’re not ready to accept that Leon is gone,” she said, “but you can’t do this to him! Can’t we just let him go in peace?” “Let him go in peace?” I scoffed inwardly. In my past life, I was desperate. I washed dishes and waited tables at a restaurant, enduring daily abuse and humiliation from customers. Then, one day, I saw Leon and Rachel dining with their child, all dressed in luxury brands, enjoying an expensive meal. The injustice burned inside me! How dare they so easily steal everything that should have been mine? I stormed over to confront them, desperately demanding answers like a woman possessed. But Leon wouldn’t even spare me a glance as he sneered, “What’s this filthy creature doing here? Someone, get her out of my sight!” I fought back as they dragged me to the kitchen, where those monsters forced my head into a pot of boiling oil. They finished me off by driving a large serving fork through my skull. I died such a horrific death in my past life, and now they expected me to let him pass peacefully? They must be dreaming! I cradled Leon’s pale face in my hands, and tears streamed down my face as I put on my act. “How can I possibly let you go like this, Darling? How am I supposed to live without you?” Just as I was sobbing my heart out, the door to the morgue swung open. In walked Leon’s mother, Ashley Ronald. Her son had just “died”, but she was decked out in gold and jewels, dripping with diamonds, as if she wanted the whole world to know how rich she was. “Didn’t I tell you to get my Leon to the crematorium as soon as possible? What’s with the hold-up?” I covered my face and wailed, “Ashley, I can’t believe Leon is just… gone.” Ashley planted her hands on her hips and glared at me with rage. “You’re nothing but bad luck! You brought death to my son, and now you have the nerve to cry! “Listen here! Our family tradition requires cremation within five hours of death. If that doesn’t happen, his soul won’t find peace! If you delay Leon’s passing, you’ll regret it!” The nerve of her! Leon only married into my family because they were dirt poor. That was the only reason they lived comfortably at all. And now she dared call me bad luck! Well then, maybe I should show her just how much ‘”bad luck” I could really bring to Leon.

I threw myself on Leon, sobbing uncontrollably. “Ashley, it’s my fault! I’m the one who brought bad luck! Please, let me atone for my sins!” Ashley and Rachel’s faces changed instantly. Ashley scoffed, “Atone? How can you possibly atone for this? Unless… are you planning on joining my son down there?” Fat chance. Like I’d ever die for that jerk! I pulled a small box of pills from my bag, presenting it like some precious treasure. “This is a miracle medicine I got from the church! The priest said if a dead person takes it, they can come back to life for a few minutes. We could see Leon one last time!” “Are you out of your mind? There’s no such thing as resurrection medicine!” Ashley exclaimed in shock. Rachel tried to reason with me. “Bella, please stop this…” Of course, I knew it wasn’t any miracle cure. It was rat poison I’d bought, strong enough to kill! One sip would be lethal, guaranteed. Ignoring their protests, I moved to pour it into Leon’s mouth. Ashley lunged forward to stop me. “Hey! You can’t just feed Leon some sketchy medicine! If this kills him, I’ll hold you responsible!” I gave her a bewildered look. “What? But Leon is already dead. How could poison kill him again?” Ashley’s words caught in her throat. In that split second, I quickly pried open Leon’s mouth and poured in the medicine. Rachel screamed, knocking the medicine from my hand onto the floor. “Enough! Bella, just let Leon rest in peace. Stop messing with his body!” I secretly rejoiced. Thankfully, I’d been quick enough. Leon had already swallowed several mouthfuls. Ashley glanced at her phone, and her tone suddenly became agitated. “For crying out loud, you’re such bad luck! You’re wasting our time! We only have one hour left to get Leon to the crematorium!” I blocked their way, protesting, “No, Ashley! Don’t you want to see Leon one last time? What if he wakes up?” I couldn’t let them rush him to cremation so quickly. They must have prepared a body swap ahead of time. I needed to witness Leon’s death with my own eyes. No matter how much she cursed at me, I stood my ground, refusing to let anyone through. That was when I noticed Ashley shooting Rachel a meaningful look. Rachel caught on and stepped forward to grab my arm. “Bella, please let Leon go. We need to lay him to rest soon!” I hadn’t even moved, but she let out a gasp and dramatically threw herself to the side. She clutched her stomach and groaned, “Ouch! Bella, I was talking to you nicely! Why did you push me? What if something happens to your nephew? I can’t take it anymore! My stomach really hurts… Bella, quick, take me to the ER, to the maternity ward!” She thought she could get rid of me with this trick, huh? Thinking fast, I called over Madison, who had been quietly snacking in the corner. “Madison, Rachel has a tummy ache and needs someone to go to the doctor with her. Can you go with her?” Madison nodded enthusiastically. “Sure! I want to go with Rachel to see the doctor!” Rachel’s face stiffened. “Madison doesn’t understand anything, Bella… you should come with me…” I cut her off. “The doctors here all know you, and Madison has been with you for checkups before. It won’t be a problem. “Rachel, Leon just died. Can’t you let me give him a proper goodbye?” With things reaching this point, she had no choice but to leave with Madison’s support. In moments, only Ashley and I remained in the morgue. “We’re running out of time. Let me get Leon to the crematorium now!” The anxiety on her face grew more apparent by the second. That was when I noticed Leon’s eyelids flutter ever so slightly on the bed. Could it be… was the anesthetic wearing off? A more twisted thought suddenly crossed my mind. Death by poison would be too merciful for him. Since Ashley was so eager to get him to the crematorium, perhaps I’d help arrange that!   Ashley finally breathed a sigh of relief when I agreed to send Leon to the crematorium. But she hadn’t expected me to get in the car, too. Ashley and I sat on either side of Leon’s “corpse”. I could feel Leon’s hand gradually warming up in my palm. As expected, the drug was wearing off, and he was slowly regaining consciousness. I secretly smirked, then threw myself over his body in an exaggerated display of grief. “Woo… Honey, why haven’t you woken up yet? Don’t you want to see me one last time? “Honey, once you’re in the crematorium, you’ll never have another chance to wake up!” While I wailed on the outside, my words carried a hidden warning. I noticed tiny beads of sweat forming on Leon’s forehead, and his brows were slightly furrowed. The rat poison was starting to work. The small dose wouldn’t kill him, but it would make him wish he were dead for quite a while. Trying to avoid my detection, he fought to maintain his composure, though his face grew paler by the minute. He really did look like a corpse now. Ashley noticed something was wrong and quickly tried to distract me. “When we get to the crematorium, you should wait outside. There’s no need for you to go in.” “Why, Ashley?” I asked, puzzled. “Leon is my husband! Of course, I should be there.” She clicked her tongue in irritation. “It’s our family’s tradition. Only the parents can accompany the deceased during cremation. I don’t care if you’re his wife or whoever! You’re not allowed inside! “You married Leon, so you need to follow our family’s rules!” I sneered inwardly. How convenient that she’d forgotten how her son had married into my family! I put on a hurt expression. “But Ashley, Leon married into the Wills family. By rights, he should be part of our family now and follow our traditions.” “You’ve got some nerve!” Ashley’s eyes bulged with rage. “Thinking Leon would take your family name. Keep dreaming! “Let me tell you something! Even if he married into your family, that was just us doing you a favor. You’ve been living off Leon’s hard work while doing nothing yourself. He’s the real head of the household!” The nerve of her! They used money from my family business while turning accusations back on me. The world’s turned upside down! “Ashley, let’s not discuss this now.” I forced down my anger. “We’re at the crematorium. Let’s give Leon a proper farewell.” Ashley tried to block my way the entire time, but without Rachel there, she had no backup. I pushed my way through to the incinerator. Leon lay on the platform, completely wrapped up. Knowing he was fully conscious in there sent thrills of excitement through my body. Ashley grabbed the cremation platform, preventing it from moving. “That’s enough. You need to leave. I’ll keep watch here.” “Absolutely not!” I refused to budge. “Leon is my husband. I have to stay with him!” “How many times do I have to tell you?” Ashley screamed, “Our family tradition only allows parents at the cremation. If you mess up Leon’s reincarnation, can you live with that?” “Ashley, this is the 21st century! We don’t need these superstitious beliefs! You’re the one delaying Leon’s cremation by arguing about this!” Ashley’s face darkened as we silently fought for control. In desperate defiance, she shouted, “If you don’t leave, I won’t cremate Leon! I might as well die right here with him! My life means nothing anyway!” I put on an act of persuasion. “Ashley, how can you say that? Time is running out! We need to send Leon in now!” Just then, my phone alarm went off. I feigned panic. “Oh no! Didn’t you say the soul can only reincarnate if cremated within five hours of death? We only have one minute left! “Ashley, we must send Leon to his next life now!” Without hesitation, I pressed the button, and the machine whirred to life. Ashley’s eyes bulged in horror. “No…” But it was too late. The cremation platform carried Leon slowly into the blazing furnace, and flames danced as they engulfed him. In that instant, the body bag began to twist violently with his struggles. Leon’s bloodcurdling screams echoed from within. “Ah…”

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We had been married for seven years, but Josh Ball had never once acknowledged me as his wife in public. I wanted a wedding, but he thought it was too much trouble and scolded me for being pretentious. However, on our seventh anniversary, he rented out a thousand-acre rose field and held a grand wedding with his first love. I watched the video of him gently kissing the bride, who was dressed in a wedding gown. Everyone was congratulating them. I dumped out the meal that had gone cold from being reheated ten times. With a sneer, I commented on the video. [An elegant match, a natural pair.] Then I dialed the divorce lawyer’s number. ***** When Josh came home, I had just finished discussing the divorce with the lawyer. He reeked of alcohol, and he still hadn’t taken off his groom’s suit. The dining table was covered with messy plates and bowls, and I hadn’t cleaned up the food in the trash can. After a night, the dishes had begun to stink. The foul smell filled the air, just like the scent of Josh. He loosened his tie and covered his nose in disgust. He grumbled, “Abby Cook, what are you doing all day? The dishes aren’t washed, and the trash isn’t taken out. How disgusting! “Clean up quickly. It looks so messy.” He glanced at the food in the trash. He continued, “You’re here by yourself and still making so much food? “Don’t think just because you’re the vice president of the company now, you can waste like this. You should remember, before my family supported you, you were eating pig food.” I silently stared at him. Josh shifted uneasily and brought up the wedding from last night. He said, “I held the wedding yesterday to fulfill Violet’s dream. “You know she’s in poor health, and the doctor told us to indulge her, not to upset her.” I snorted derisively, “Fulfilling her dream? “I saw how happy you two looked. If one day she wants my place as your wife, would you have no hesitation in kicking me out?” Josh was shocked by my sharp words. He frowned and snapped, “Abby, I don’t know what you’re jealous about. “Violet is a patient, and you want to compete with her? “If something happens between us, do you think you’d still have a chance to stay in this house?” I mocked him. I had married him only under the pressure of his family. I coldly stared at Josh. “Josh, don’t forget we’ve been married for seven years, and you still owe me a wedding. “But yesterday, you held a wedding in front of the whole city with another woman. Are you slapping me in the face?” Josh retorted, “That was just a joke. Why are you still obsessing over it? “You’re getting old, and you still want the same ceremony as young girls? Your pettiness is disgusting.” He stormed into the bedroom and slammed the door shut. I closed my eyes and suppressed the anger rising within me. Sure enough, Josh had forgotten that yesterday was our seventh wedding anniversary. From the moment we got married, he never paid any attention to me. It was as if he thought I wasn’t worthy of it. I came from a poor rural background. When I was in high school, I received sponsorship from Ball Group because of my outstanding grades, and I went on to attend the nation’s top university. After graduation, I joined Ball Group. Later, the Ball family took me in as their adopted daughter and used their favor to make me marry Josh. To the outside world, I was just the vice president of Ball Group. No one knew I was his wife. Josh said he didn’t want anyone to know I had climbed to this position because of the Ball family. I believed him. But now, it seemed he just thought I was not presentable. In seven years, apart from social events, we had never gone on a date or eaten together. I spent countless lonely nights in our empty house. A message notification pulled me back to reality. It was from Violet again. [What’s the big deal about seven years of marriage? Josh doesn’t love you, and that’s that. I only said I wanted to wear a wedding dress, and he arranged everything for me.] [Look, isn’t this the dream you’ve always wanted?] In the video, Josh held Violet’s hand as they walked through a sea of flowers. He placed a wedding ring on her finger and kissed her passionately under the spotlight. Then came a few intimate photos of them in a hotel bed. I saved the video and photos, then blocked her. Over the years, Violet had harassed me with countless accounts, each time showing how good Josh was to her. They set off fireworks on a rooftop, kissed at sunrise, and took romantic photos by the sea. There were even some photos and videos that were too shameful to watch. Violet once said, “Even if you use all these to confront Josh, so what? Someone who isn’t loved has no right to be jealous.” She was Josh’s childhood sweetheart. In Josh’s heart, the scales would always tip in her favor. In the past, I would have felt suffocated with pain, but now, I only felt like I had gathered more evidence for the divorce. Everything Josh owed me, I was going to make him repay.

I went to work as usual. When I finished for the day, Josh called me. He asked, “Abby, why didn’t you tell me yesterday was our anniversary?” His tone was full of reproach. I didn’t answer. He continued, “Alright, Violet and the others miss you. They’ve arranged a dinner to catch up. I’ll pick you up from the underground garage.” Without waiting for my response, Josh hung up. I sneered, “Waiting in the underground garage again? Every time he says he’d pick me up after work, it’s always like this. If I didn’t know better, I’d think we were having a secret affair.” I wouldn’t indulge him. Forty minutes later, Josh called again, complaining, “Do you have any sense of time? How long have I been waiting for you? Are you really the vice president with such poor efficiency? “Hurry up, Violet and the others are already there.” I leaned back in office chair. “Then wait for me downstairs at the company. I’ll be there soon.” Josh was silent for a few seconds. Then he exploded in anger. “What do you mean by that? It’s the end of the workday. Are you trying to let everyone know about our relationship? “Abby, don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to.” I sneered again, “Josh, don’t forget I’m your wife. Are you treating me like a lover? “I’m sorry, but I can’t do anything secretive or shady.” With that, I hung up. In the end, Josh parked the car across the street from the company. I opened the car door and sat in the back seat. Josh was unhappy. “What does this mean? Am I your servant?” I scoffed and pointed at the doll in the passenger seat. He said, “Then get rid of it and make room for me.” Josh huffed, “That’s a gift from Violet. She bought it for me.” He then looked at my formal outfit. He scoffed, “She knows how to live, unlike you, who has no femininity at all.” I snorted, not bothered at all. In reality, it wasn’t just the passenger seat. Even the rearview mirror ornaments, decorations, and even the blanket in the back seat were all bought by Violet Joseph. They were all items for couples. When we bought the car, I had ordered some pretty and cozy decorations online, but once I put them in the car, they were thrown into the trash. Josh expressed his disgust, “Your taste is as shabby as you are. Don’t dirty my car. “You always think about these useless things. Can you do something useful for once?” After that, I never bothered to care about such things again. Looking back, it seemed that Josh was bothered by me, not the objects. When we arrived at the hotel, Josh went to park the car, and I answered a work call. By the time I finished, he had already gone to the private room. Following the waiter’s guidance, I stood outside the door and overheard the conversation inside. Someone said, “Yesterday was Josh’s wedding anniversary. You were with Violet getting married. Don’t you think Abby will get jealous?” Violet’s soft voice rang out. She said, “Should I apologize to her later?” Josh comforted her, “Apologize for what? I never wanted to marry her. That’s why we didn’t have a wedding. Being able to fulfill your dream, I couldn’t be more thrilled.” Violet was touched. “Thank you, Josh. If it weren’t for my poor health and having to go abroad back then, you wouldn’t have been forced to marry Abby and live this unhappy life.” Josh sneered, “It’s all because she took your place. Don’t worry. My heart only belongs to you.” The others in the room began to join in. “If you ask me, Josh and Violet are truly a match made in heaven.” “Abby is just a country girl. How could she belong in the Ball family?” “We’re all on the side of this couple.” The people in the private room were all close friends of Josh or Violet. From the start, they looked down on me, thinking that I was the one who interfered in their relationship. I pushed the door open and entered the room. I asked, “What are you talking about? It sounds so lively.”

The noise in the private room suddenly stopped. Everyone looked guilty. Someone called out, “Abby, you’re here. Come sit next to Josh.” I forced a polite smile, my eyes scanning the seafood feast on the table, and I couldn’t help but pause. Violet was sitting next to Josh. She asked me, “Abby, you weren’t mad yesterday, right? “It’s all my fault. I wanted to wear a wedding dress, and I didn’t expect Josh to give me such a big surprise. “Please don’t be angry. That was just a joke between friends. You know my heart isn’t good, I don’t know how long I have left.” Her eyes reddened, and tears began to fall. Josh was heartbroken, quickly wiping her tears. “Why would she be angry? That was a gift for you.” The affection between them was so strong. They were like a loving couple. To ease the tension, someone urged me to sit down and eat. But I didn’t touch any food. Josh thought I was sulking again and slammed his fork down. He sulked, “Violet invited you to dinner, and you’re giving us attitude.” Everyone at the table looked at me with displeasure. I smiled and said, “Josh, I’m allergic to seafood, so I guess I won’t be able to enjoy this delicious meal.” Josh fell silent. He must have remembered it. Just a year ago, to celebrate Violet’s birthday, he had chosen a seafood restaurant. I had looked at the seafood feast on the table and quietly told him about my allergy. But the next moment, he had thrown the plate down. He had snapped, “Don’t be a buzzkill. Are you jealous seeing me celebrating Violet’s birthday?” Everyone at the table had looked at me with disdain. Josh had picked up a shrimp and placed it in my plate, sneering, “It’s fine. Eating a little won’t kill you, right? “Stop acting so precious.” I had refused to eat. Josh had threatened me, “If you don’t eat, we’re going to get a divorce tomorrow.” I had been stunned. In the end, to appease him, I had eaten the shrimp. Josh smirked, “See? Nothing happened, right? I knew you were just jealous.” But less than five minutes later, I had broken out in red rashes all over my body, had trouble breathing, and had collapsed. I had been rushed to the hospital and stayed in the ICU for a month before I recovered. The private room immediately fell silent. I smirked, “Since I’m not lucky enough to enjoy this, I won’t disturb everyone’s good mood.” Josh wanted to say something, but I didn’t even spare him a glance and turned to leave. Such a banquet was meaningless. Josh’s attention and thoughts would always be on Violet. He didn’t come home until 1 a.m. By then, I was already asleep, but he didn’t care. He turned on the lights and pulled back my blanket. Then a small box was thrown onto me. He said, “Don’t say I didn’t get you an anniversary gift.” I frowned and opened the box. Inside was a bottle of perfume. I recognized it as a gift from the shop if a customer spent 100 thousand dollars there. The branded lipstick was given to another woman, and the free perfume was for me. He was trying to disgust me. My drowsiness instantly disappeared. He grumbled, “Next time you go out, stop putting on airs. Don’t embarrass me. “I don’t know how I ended up marrying a woman like you.” His tone was full of disgust and regret. I threw the perfume into the corner, closed my eyes, and tried to suppress the last bit of pain in my heart. Soon, I would give him what he wanted. It would be all over.   The next day, Josh’s mother, Heidi Ball, called me, inviting me to come home for a meal. As soon as I got into the car, I knew what I was about to face. In the living room, Josh, Violet, and Heidi were chatting. Laughter could be heard from time to time. When she saw me, Heidi quickly called out, “Abby, you’re here. Come take a seat.” She appeared warm and friendly, but I knew what she meant. She continued, “I know about what happened the other day. I gave them a good talking-to. They even dared to joke about the wedding. “Don’t worry. You’re always my daughter-in-law. “So, make sure to live well with Josh, run the company well, and have a baby for him.” It was the last sentence that revealed her true intentions. Back then, she had used her financial help to make me her adopted daughter, ultimately marrying me off to Josh. All she wanted was for me to use everything I had learned to help their struggling business. She shot Josh a warning glare, which he seemed to notice. He pressed his lips together, even ignoring Violet’s grievance. I smiled, “I knew it. You are the best mom.” Heidi might tolerate Josh and Violet’s misbehaving, but our marriage could never fall apart. The Ball family needed me as their tool. It was a pity though, because soon, she would be disappointed. Violet bit her lip, stood up, and ran out in tears. Josh quickly chased after her. I said goodbye to Heidi and left too. Outside the house, I saw Josh holding Violet and comforting her. It was a gentleness I had never received from him. He only mocked me when I was upset. “Stop crying all the time. It’s annoying.” When he saw me approaching, he panicked and pushed Violet aside. He said, “You can just ignore what Mom said today. As I said, I won’t have children with you. “Remember your place. You’re not worthy of carrying my child.” Hiding behind him, Violet flashed me a triumphant smile. I felt a wave of nausea. Since we got married, Heidi had been pressuring us to have children. Josh agreed on the surface, but he only touched me when he was drunk. Afterward, he always looked at me as if it were some kind of favor. He said, “We’re just fulfilling marital duties. Don’t think I’ll ever fall in love with you.” In fact, three years ago, we had a child. I was so happy when I got the test results and went to find Josh. But he coldly looked at me and tore the report to pieces. He said, “Get rid of the baby tomorrow. I’ve already made the appointment for you.” I was stunned and refused. I begged him to let me keep the baby. I said, “Why? It’s my child too.” But Josh looked at me with a cruel smile. “I only want to have children with Violet. You’re nowhere near her.” Then I was dragged into the operating room. They didn’t even administer anesthesia, and I had to feel the child leave my body. Not long after, Violet was diagnosed with infertility. Since then, after each time Josh and I slept together, he would force me to take birth control pills. I increasingly despised him touching me. I snapped back and sneered at Josh. I said, “No need. Let’s get a divorce.” Josh froze, unsure if he heard me correctly. “What did you say?” Behind him, Violet was thrilled. I repeated, “Josh, let’s get a divorce.” Josh paused in shock. Then he snapped at me, “Abby, are you crazy? How dare you bring up a divorce?” I scoffed, “I know what I’m doing. I’ll bring the divorce papers to you.” Josh was furious. Violet stepped forward and clung to him. She said, “Josh, it seems Abby knows her place.” Before she could finish, Josh shoved her aside. He pointed at me. “Abby, are you trying to threaten me with divorce? “You’re an ugly freak, and you dare talk about divorce? Who else do you think would want you? “No one will want you except me.” I snorted and turned to leave. Behind me, Josh’s roar followed. He said, “Fine! I’ll wait for you to come crawling back and begging me.”   By the time I returned home, I had already received the divorce agreement drafted by my lawyer. After printing it out, I began packing my bags. We had been married for seven years, but my luggage amounted to just two suitcases. Most of the clothes were formal wear, and there were barely any casual dresses. Josh once said, “You’re working at Ball Group, so don’t wear anything flashy that could harm the company’s image. “You’re no longer a young girl. Stop trying to act like one.” As a result, I hadn’t worn a skirt in years. No matter the season, I was always dressed in a suit. I threw all the suits into the trash, left the house, and went to the nearby mall. I bought a beautiful dress and went to a beauty salon for skin care. Looking at my refreshed self in the mirror, I suddenly felt a lump in my throat. Over the years, for Ball Group and Josh, I had been nothing but a tool, working relentlessly for almost ten years. I had almost forgotten who I was. I took a deep breath. From now on, I would only be myself. That evening, Josh didn’t return home, but Violet reached out to me again through another number. She posted a picture of her holding hands with someone, their wedding rings shining brightly. The caption read: [I’m about to marry the love of my life.] I chuckled. It seemed like I would soon be free. As usual, I saved the photo, deleted her contact, and blocked her. For the next two weeks, Josh didn’t appear before me. My secretary informed me, “Mr. Ball is on a tour.” I called him, urging him to come back and sign the divorce papers, but all I heard from the other end was his drunken voice. He mumbled, “Abby, stop bothering me. Get as far away from me as you can. “Divorce? You’re nothing but a dog of the Ball family. Even if you beg me, I won’t let you come back.” I hung up, speechless. In the past seven years, I had been so humble that Josh thought I wouldn’t survive without him. Again and again, I had tolerated and compromised, but it only made him push his luck further. Three days later, Josh returned home. He looked haggard. His beard was unshaven, and his hair was messy. He demanded, “Abby, just because I didn’t spend our wedding anniversary with you, just because I helped Violet fulfill her wedding dress dream, you want a divorce? “Can’t you stop being so childish? Apologize to me, and I’ll forgive you.” I laughed. He had the nerve to say that. I placed the divorce agreement in front of him. “Sign it.” Josh was furious. He flipped through a few pages and stared at me in disbelief. He growled, “Who are you to divide my property? That’s the Ball family’s money. “For all these years, I made sure you ate well, drank well, and lived well. You’ve enjoyed years of flaunting your power as vice president, and that’s not enough?” I sneered, “You have no shame. “You cheated on me. I’m doing you a favor by not leaving you with nothing. Do you want me to expose your dirty deeds?” Josh didn’t believe I had any evidence until I sent the videos and photos Violet had sent me over the years, hotel records, surveillance footage, and even the medical reports from when Josh had forced me to get rid of the baby, along with those wedding videos. I sent all of them to the Ball and Joseph families. Heidi quickly called, scolding Josh fiercely. These scandals were fine if kept private, but they could never be made public. The Ball family could not become a laughingstock. Her words were full of scheming. “Abby, you can divorce him, but don’t even think about taking a single penny. “We funded your life of luxury, so don’t get greedy.” I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. It was true that birds of a feather flocked together. When Ball Group was handed over to me, it was on the brink of bankruptcy. I had used every possible means to bring it back into the top three in the industry. The money earned had long repaid the funding. “Mrs. Ball, if you don’t adhere to the agreement, I believe the media in Zrupsey might take a great interest in Josh’s private life.” Josh and Heidi wanted to argue. Just then, his phone rang. The anxious voice of his secretary came through. “Mr. Ball, the media has broken into the company. “There are suddenly so many photos and videos online about your affair with Ms. Joseph.” Josh’s face went ashen, and he stared at me in disbelief.

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In my first year of residency training, my face was severely burned and scarred while shielding my boyfriend, Winslow Larson, from sulfuric acid during a hospital attack. This disfigured face made my work in pediatrics an uphill battle. Meanwhile, Winslow rose to prominence as the country’s leading researcher in rare pediatric diseases. People praised him as young and promising, advising him that he didn’t need to stay with someone as disfigured as me. But he would gently caress my scarred face, saying that a doctor’s worth lay in their skill, not their appearance. He told me he loved me for who I was, that my face didn’t matter. Yet, when a newly graduated and stunningly beautiful doctor, Madeleine Brooks, entered the picture, he fell for her almost instantly. He put her name on the rare disease paper we had spent ten years researching together. He claimed that top-tier doctors needed compatible partners. So, just before I was set to perform the surgery I’d spent a decade preparing for, he pushed me aside. He told me not to overthink it, assuring me I was still the one he loved the most. I smiled, turned away, and handed in my resignation. Then, I disappeared from his world entirely. When we met again, he looked at me with tears in his eyes as he begged for my forgiveness. But by then, I held multiple medical patents and had made a name for myself in the field. He had been right. A doctor’s worth truly lay in their skill. So, I chose to live for myself. ***** Madeleine’s résumé was as dazzling as her appearance. The resident, smiling with pride, said enthusiastically, “Dr. Brooks graduated from the country’s top medical school with a doctorate. During her residency training, she participated in numerous major surgeries and published several SCI papers on rare pediatric diseases. No wonder she was able to join Mr. Larson’s team as soon as she graduated!” I stood at the scrub sink, just one door away from the operating room. I glanced at the patient already lying on the operating table, unsure of what to say. In silence, I turned to look at the lead surgeon for this procedure. Today’s lead surgeon was none other than Winslow, my boyfriend, the man I had grown up with. To him, my silence meant acquiescence. “After all, this is the first surgery using the BTR technique. Madeleine has more hands-on experience than you,” he said. “Aleena, you’re a doctor. You should have the most basic sense of professional ethics. “And besides…” He studied my expression and added in a soothing tone, “We promised to bring the BTR technique to the world. We can’t let it fail at the first step.” Hearing him suddenly invoke the promise we’d made ten years ago, I felt nothing but cold emptiness. He had taken my scarred hand in his, promising sincerely, “Aleena, I swore to you I’d never let Aaron’s tragedy happen again.” At the mention of my late brother, Aaron Wilson, my eyes stung. I turned and left the scrub sink without a word. From the observation room, I watched the two of them perform the microscopic surgery below. Their conversation was intimate. “That’s right! Madeleine, you’re doing great. The wound closure looks perfect! “You’re definitely the most talented doctor I’ve ever worked with.” Madeleine stood beside him, her eyes sparkling with delight. She teased playfully, “Mr. Larson, it’s just a simple suture. Hardly worth such high praise! “Don’t spoil me too much!” Winslow, usually so serious, was smiling warmly. His tone was gentle and affectionate, far from how one typically spoke to a trainee. “What, I can’t even compliment you? You’re impossible…” I could feel the glances from the other doctors in the operating room shifting toward me. Everyone present knew I had been by Winslow’s side for over a decade. I wasn’t just his girlfriend; I had been his indispensable partner. Yet here I was, pushed aside before the surgery I had dedicated ten years of my life to. Hours flew by. After the patient’s wounds were sutured, the room erupted in applause. Overcome with excitement, Winslow broke the sterile protocol and pulled Madeleine into an embrace. “Madeleine, I’ve waited ten years for this! We finally did it!” I switched off the lights in the observation room and left without a word.

Winslow and I had known each other since childhood. We grew up inseparable, side by side, through everything. Both of us excelled in school, and when it came time for college, we chose the same major. In our first year of residency, he got into trouble for saying the wrong thing in front of a patient’s family. When the furious family member hurled sulfuric acid at him, I didn’t hesitate and pushed him out of the way. He was unharmed, but I was left with horrific scars all over my face and body. At my hospital bed, Winslow’s voice was hoarse as he made a solemn vow. “Aleena, for the rest of my life, I will never let go of your hand.” Later, his groundbreaking paper catapulted him to the forefront of rare disease research. At the time, I was his assistant. There were whispers behind my back. “Aleena’s face is ruined. How can she stay by Mr. Larson’s side as his assistant?” “With her résumé, she doesn’t deserve to be Mr. Larson’s girlfriend!” But at the highest-level medical summit, Winslow stood on stage holding my hand. “The BTR technique isn’t my achievement alone. I owe everything to Aleena’s dedication. Her intelligence, precision, and care have brought hope to children suffering from rare diseases. “To me, she is the best doctor and my destined partner.” I could still hear his words echoing in my ears. But now, Madeleine had entered his life. She was brilliant and beautiful, her education a glittering record of top-tier schools from childhood to adulthood. She returned from studying abroad, well-versed in the latest international research and advancements. “Professor Stan has an unpublished paper on this very subject. “There’s an academic conference on this topic in Sweden soon, and my mentor has two slots available.” “The L897 drug showed excellent results in the Phase III clinical trials for pediatric rare diseases.” She had a solid foundation, a sharp mind, and access to abundant academic resources. Madeleine’s arrival completely disrupted our work. She redefined what Winslow thought an assistant could be. For the first time, he realized how much a true elite could contribute. And compared to her, I paled. I had built my life entirely around rare diseases, driven by an obsession. I was quiet and reserved, someone who seemed cold and dull in the eyes of others. However, I still hadn’t expected that Winslow would push me out of the surgery that meant everything to me for Madeleine’s sake. He knew how much it mattered to me. I took a deep breath and buried my face in the pillow. Tears soaked through the fabric. A few nights later, during a late shift, I had just closed my eyes for a brief rest when Winslow suddenly pushed open the door to the lounge. “Aleena, I’m here… I…” He stood there, breath still uneven, as though he had rushed straight over. He must have remembered our plan at the last minute. “I got too caught up in the surgery. I forgot… I forgot we were supposed to celebrate with a nice meal.” My chest tightened, disappointment flooding through me. I could only stare at him silently, feeling a bitter mockery rise in my heart. “What is this?” I thought. For a moment, I felt ridiculous. I had been foolish enough to hope he’d remember our promise from ten years ago and come to apologize. Yet he could recall an offhand comment about a nice meal from days ago but had completely forgotten something so important. “It’s fine,” I said quietly. “I didn’t even take part in the surgery. There’s no reason for me to celebrate with a nice meal.” Winslow frowned, confusion clouding his face. His grip on my wrist tightened. I forced a smile, my voice steady and calm. “Since Aaron’s death, I’ve been entangled with rare diseases for ten years. Every single moment, I’ve wanted to overcome them, to avenge my brother Aaron with my own hands. “For this surgery, I haven’t rested in a month. Every day, I went to see that child. I’ve read his medical records so many times I could recite them by heart. “Winslow, ten years ago, you promised me I would perform the first curative surgery myself. So… I thought I could save him with my own hands, as if saving him would mean I could somehow bring Aaron back.” I lifted my head and saw the panic in Winslow’s eyes.

I said a lot. And slowly, from my words, Winslow seemed to recall the long-forgotten promise he had made. He opened his mouth, instinctively trying to explain, but no words came out. In the end, he just held onto my wrist tightly, saying nothing at all. A coldness spread through me. I pulled my wrist free with a sharp tug. I turned away, intending to sit back down. But Winslow grabbed me again. “Aleena, don’t go! It’s my fault… I let you down. I…” His words were cut off by the shrill ring of his phone. One glance at the screen and his expression immediately changed. It was Madeleine. “A special case at MediLexa Hospital?” He answered the call, glancing at me before softening his tone. “Does it have to be transferred now? I’m still…” They exchanged a few quick words before he hung up. “Aleena, Madeleine said she arranged for a special case at MediLexa Hospital. It’s closely related to our project. She’s already there waiting for me. I might need to…” I listened as he earnestly explained, his demeanor as serious as if he were heading into a critical consultation. “Is it a critical patient? Without hospital authorization, her private arrangements wouldn’t even have transfer procedures in place, right?” Winslow’s face darkened. He mumbled an awkward response. I turned my head away, unwilling to hear more. MediLexa Hospital was only a few kilometers away, with minimal transfer risks. I wasn’t a fool. I couldn’t imagine what kind of critical patient would require both Winslow and Madeleine to personally handle the transfer. I bit the inside of my cheek in self-torment, letting the sharp pain suppress the burning ache in my eyes. Swallowing my sobs felt like choking down a stone. “Winslow, if I told you the scars on my face hurt a lot today, and they itch terribly, could you delay the transfer… and stay with me for a while?” It was the changing season, and my scars had been itching and burning relentlessly, day and night. I had been overworking myself for the surgery, pushing my body to the brink. Originally, I’d planned to take a few days off starting tomorrow to rest and recover. But tonight, driven by physical pain, I allowed myself a rare moment of vulnerability. I held onto his hand. Yet the moment my rough, scarred skin brushed against his, his brow furrowed ever so slightly. He instinctively adjusted his already perfectly straight tie. “Madeleine said the patient is still waiting. I should…” “Madeleine, Madeleine… She got to participate in the first BTR surgery right after graduation. Her future is certainly bright.” I curved my lips into a smile, my tone dripping with mockery. “She’s nothing like me. First, I lose my chance. Now, I lose my boyfriend too…” “Enough!” Winslow’s sharp voice cut me off, his expression full of impatience. “This is a matter of life and death! Aleena, where is your sense of medical ethics?” A sharp pain pierced my chest. I felt as though something was choking me, robbing me of speech. Winslow turned decisively and strode away. His voice was curt as he said, “I’ve approved three days off for you. Rest well if your scars are bothering you. “You’re not just physically weak. You’re not as smart or capable as Madeleine. Even your sense of duty as a doctor doesn’t measure up to hers!” The wind lifted the hem of his long coat, billowing it high. His figure was still as lean and boyish as ever. But I could no longer find any trace of the young man who had once stood by my hospital bed and sworn never to let go of my hand. Ten years had passed in a blur. The Winslow before me now was nothing but a stranger. The sharp ring of a call bell from Bed 332 broke through my thoughts. I had no time to dwell on my emotions. I rushed out the door. By the time I had answered five or six calls, dawn had broken. Exhausted, I leaned against the nurse’s station to rest for a moment. Out of habit, I opened Twitter. What greeted me was Madeleine’s carefully curated post. [Transfer canceled. Exploring the hidden alleys with Mr. Larson.] I scrolled silently through her nine photos, feeling nothing but numbness. In one of them, Winslow was feeding her hotdog, his eyes filled with unguarded tenderness.   The storefront in the photo was narrow, its plastic tabletops stained with years of grease. Discarded single-use wrappers littered the dark cement floor. Winslow, impeccably dressed in his tailored suit, sat among it all without the slightest hint of disdain. Normally, he was the most fastidious about food safety. Yet there he was, indulging in street food with Madeleine as if the chaos around him didn’t exist. I stared at the screen with a blank expression liked the post. The next moment, Madeleine sent me a message. [Dr. Wilson, Mr. Larson asked me to check if you’re still at the hospital. We brought back some leftover hot dogs.] [I heard you were upset about me stepping in for your surgery. Consider this my apology.] [I just got back to the country, so I’m not familiar with these unspoken rules. I assumed doctors operated on the principle that the best person gets the job.] She even added a pitiful little emoji at the end. I ignored her juvenile provocation and turned off my screen, ready to leave for the day. But the head nurse stopped me. “Dr. Wilson, Ms. Estrada wants to see you.” I nodded vaguely, forcing myself to gather what energy I had left, and knocked on the office door. Claudine Estrada was our director. She was a kind and gentle older woman, who was always smiling. But today, her expression was unusually serious. “Aleena, I received another complaint last night.” Hearing this, I clenched my hands and lowered my head, shame prickling at my skin. As a pediatrician, the scars on my face had always been a problem. No matter how skilled I was, many children took one look at me and flat-out refused to let me treat them. On night shifts, my scarred face often frightened the children, which naturally led to complaints from their worried parents. “Ms. Estrada… I wore a mask last night,” I muttered, attempting to defend myself in a soft voice, though it sounded feeble even to me. In the past, whenever a complaint came in, Winslow, as the deputy director, would always be the first to know. He would stand by my side when I met with Claudine, explaining how crucial I was to the BTR project and tirelessly pleading my case. But today, he wasn’t here. “With your condition, whether you wear a mask or not doesn’t seem to matter much anymore.” Claudine’s unsmiling face made my palms damp with cold sweat. “Winslow usually defends you to no end. Luckily, he’s not here today, or he’d be giving me another long lecture about principles and fairness.” I forced a bitter smile. “He probably… won’t anymore.” “Won’t?” Claudine waved a hand dismissively. “I don’t believe that.” “But let’s get to the point. We all know your scars are the result of an accident. The hospital understands your situation. But Aleena, this is a children’s hospital. We have to put the patients first.” “I’m not saying this to push you out. I’m asking you to think about your own future.” “Your complaint rate is high, and fewer patients are requesting you. If this continues, it’s not going to be good for your career.” Her words stung with bitter truth. I opened my mouth to defend myself, but no argument came. There was nothing I could say. My eyes burned, but no tears fell. Then Claudine placed a stack of English documents in front of me. “You have a background in BTR research and clinical experience. You’re a perfect fit for this project in Auroria Country.” I took the papers with both hands, looking up at her in disbelief. Claudine smiled and patted my shoulder. “Aleena, you’re still young. You should explore more opportunities.” “Being a doctor isn’t just about clinical work.” That evening, I sat at home, poring over the English documents, lost in thought. Even by nightfall, I remained torn. The unsent message I had typed out to Winslow still lingered in the chat box: [Winslow, there’s something I want to talk to you about.] If I decided to go, it would mean abandoning the BTR project I had spent ten years fighting for. It would also mean letting go of Winslow. I couldn’t bring myself to make a decision. Winslow ignored my unsent messages and instead sent me something that felt more like a notice: [I’m heading home to pack. I’ll be traveling for lectures over the next two weeks.] I stared at his message for a long time before finally typing out a single question: [Is Madeleine going too?]   [Madeleine is my student and also assisted with the first surgery. It wouldn’t be right to leave her out.] [Bear with it for now. I’ll make it up to you when I’m back.] I reread his words, my thoughts spiraling. I thought, “Bear with it? Why is it that every time something involves Madeleine, I’m the one who has to bear with it?” I didn’t reply. Instead, I buried my head back into the pillow. Perhaps out of guilt, Winslow dutifully checked in with me every day for the next two weeks. He sent dozens of messages, which I found so annoying that I muted him. But I couldn’t avoid Madeleine’s Twitter. [The coffee break today was amazing! I was standing next to Mr. Larson, and a few grad students even said we looked like a couple.] [It’s true! When capable people stand on stage, they really shine. I want to be close to you, to become you! @Winslow] [Today, Mr. Larson praised me during my presentation, saying I have a bright future ahead. But the only future I want is with you…] Her words were no longer subtle. The photos she posted were even worse. They were full of intimacy and closeness. I scrolled through her posts expressionlessly until someone abruptly shoved me. “Ugly freak!” A boy, no more than seven or eight, stood beside me. He was tall for his age, almost up to my chin, and suffered from an endocrine disorder. He was clearly spoiled at home. With his height and stocky build, he loomed over me like a wall. “You’re an ugly freak! Bed 19 told me there was a freak in here, and I didn’t believe it. But you’re so ugly. Why don’t you just go die?” As he spoke, he raised his foot and kicked me without hesitation. I staggered back, instinctively wanting to push him away. But then I caught sight of the IV needle taped to his hand and the hospital wristband. I froze. I realized he was the boy who had undergone the first BTR surgery. My chest tightened. I didn’t dodge as he kicked me again, this time harder. A nurse saw the chaos here and rushed over. It took several people to restrain him. I held my aching abdomen and turned to leave, hearing him yell from the lobby that I had scared him. Once I found a quiet corner, I sank down against the wall. I couldn’t hold it in any longer. My sobs escaped in ragged whispers. This face of mine… It had barred me from every medical forum. This face of mine… It had never earned a single word of gratitude from a patient. I couldn’t stop thinking, “If only that accident hasn’t happened. If only I haven’t pushed Winslow out of harm’s way. Would my life be different now? Would I have been the one to lead the BTR project, the one to conquer rare diseases with my own hands?” My phone buzzed. Madeleine had just posted in the department group chat. She shared photos from her presentation, along with a caption: [Thank you to the hospital leadership and Mr. Larson for this incredible opportunity. I’ve successfully delivered the first external lecture on BTR therapy. We’ve taken the first step toward bringing BTR therapy to the world.] The chat erupted with congratulatory messages. But my heart felt like it was being torn apart. I gripped my phone tightly, wishing for Winslow to call me. Even if all he offered were a flimsy excuse, anything would have been better than silence. But as my tears dried, my phone remained dark. A week later, the two of them returned to the hospital in a flurry of fanfare. When Winslow brought her to see me, his face was alight with joy. “Aleena, the BTR therapy was highly praised by our peers. Let’s go out for sashimi tonight and celebrate properly!” There wasn’t a trace of inquiry in his tone. It was a notice, not an invitation. Madeleine stood close beside him, dressed in a fitted, low-cut cocktail dress. Her flawless makeup highlighted her striking features, making her look every bit the part of his companion. She clung to his side like they belonged together. I glanced at the two of them and let out a sharp laugh. “Just sashimi? I thought the two of you were headed to a gala.” Winslow’s face darkened. “Enough. Madeleine was worried you’d feel left out, so she went out of her way to get you an extra ticket. Don’t be ungrateful.” He gestured for Madeleine, who fished an envelope out of her clutch and handed it to me. I took the invitation and tore it cleanly in half. “Aleena, have you lost your mind?” Winslow grabbed my wrist, his grip so tight it hurt. “Sashimi? You know I can’t stand raw dishes!” He knew. He knew my brother’s rare illness had been triggered by parasites in raw food. Since then, I hadn’t been able to stomach anything raw. The man who used to care about what I couldn’t eat didn’t seem to care anymore. Winslow froze for a moment before it dawned on him. His expression twisted into annoyance. “It’s been years. Do you really have to keep holding onto this? “Aleena, you need to move on. Aaron’s been dead for over a decade. Why are you taking it out on Madeleine?” I knew Aaron had been gone for over ten years. By all accounts, I should have moved on by now. But at that moment, I couldn’t stand his lectures anymore. I slapped him across the face. “Yes! I can’t move on! I can’t let it go! “I can’t accept that ten years later, I still haven’t been able to conquer rare diseases with my own hands!” All the emotions I’d buried for so long came bursting out. Winslow, however, just frowned, his disdain plain on his face. “This doesn’t justify you taking it out on Madeleine. Apologize to her, Aleena.” I stared at him, trembling as every ounce of strength drained from my body. I staggered back a step, my face wet with tears. “Apologize?” I let out a laugh that was more of a sob, my voice cracking as I said, “Winslow… I just didn’t want to eat that tonight. “Today is my brother’s death anniversary… I just didn’t want to eat raw food. “If you can’t handle that, then let’s break up.” Without waiting for his reaction, I turned and walked away.

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On the day of the company’s celebration party, our president’s first love came back. The man who was still affectionate with me the night before rushed down the podium and hugged her tightly in front of the whole company. During the banquet, I wanted to help him drink, but he scolded me in public, “You don’t have to come today. Go back and reflect on yourself!” Looking at his ruthless and cold face, I felt bitter. I loved him for seven years, but it ended up like this. The strong liquor burned my throat. Seeing Spencer Scott’s look of being so happy about Taylor Xavier’s return that he lost his composure, I knew I had lost. Over the years, I had been with Spencer from the start of the company to its rise to the top in the industry. On countless late nights, I stayed up late until I suffered from insomnia and hair loss just to help him get a difficult order. He said that I was the most important person in his life. He also said that he would talk to me about marriage after the celebration party. Before the banquet started, I was really looking forward to it. I thought that the relationship I insisted on unilaterally would finally have a good result. But I was really wrong, so wrong. I called a number I hadn’t called in a long time. “Dad…” I choked up and couldn’t speak. My dad sighed, “You miss home, right?” I wiped my tears and tried to smile and said, “Dad, I miss you. I want to go home.” Of course, my dad could tell that I was in a bad mood. So, he comforted me. “You can come home anytime! My daughter shouldn’t be aggrieved.” I stabilized my emotions and said with a smile, “It’s okay, Dad. I’ll go home after I deal with some things.” I hadn’t seen my dad for a long time. He tried his best to stop me from helping Spencer at all costs. He said that he knew the minds of men. What you can’t get is the best. He said that people like me who gave everything would get nothing in the end. But my mom also pursued him for ten years before they got married. My dad didn’t explain in detail but only said that my mom suffered a lot. I didn’t understand it at that time. Now I finally understood how bitter it was to love but not get it. After talking to my dad on the phone, I returned to the celebration party. When I was about to leave, I was forced to witness Spencer’s affectionate confession. Spencer held Taylor’s face. They looked at each other lovingly. Taylor stood in the spotlight like a princess. She said coquettishly, “Spencer, I will never leave again. We will be together forever.” Spencer’s nod was like a knife stabbing my heart again. “Taylor, I’ve been waiting for you to come back. I miss you so much.” “I miss you too!” If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed that the cold president of the Scott Group, Spencer, could say such cheesy and sweet words. He always looked serious when facing me. I thought it was his nature. It turned out that he was not incapable of saying sweet words but just didn’t want to say them to me. At the end of the party, Spencer got drunk. Everyone subconsciously looked at me and waited for me to clean up the mess. I sighed, resignedly carried Spencer on my shoulders, and prepared to take a taxi to take him home. Taylor looked me up and down carefully and sneered, “Are you the legendary hardworking secretary Quiana Yost? How can you be worthy of the Scott Group with your shabby appearance?” I sneered, “You don’t need to worry about work.” Taylor lowered her eyes. “Do you think I don’t know that you are Spencer’s secretary on the surface but actually his lover? Who are you showing off this noble attitude to? Shame on you.” She looked down at me with her usual attitude. “You must be jealous that Spencer treats me so well.” Then she showed the shining diamond ring on her ring finger, which showed her status and the love she had. My eyes were slightly sour, but I just smiled. “How could it be? You and Mr. Scott are a perfect match, and you will be happy forever.” I took Spencer back to the home where we had lived for three years. I turned around and left after I put him down. Spencer held my wrist and wouldn’t let me go. He pulled the tie on his chest nervously, muttering, “Quiana… Quiana…” My breath stagnated, and I leaned close to his lips.

His hands brushed my cheeks, and our hair tangled together. He kissed me softly on my lips. My waist softened, and I subconsciously put my hands on the side of his neck. He pressed me down. As our ears rubbed against each other, the smell of cedar and green-orange intertwined. But the next second, I heard clearly the words he said, “Dear Taylor.” I felt like I was falling into an ice cave. I pushed him away and rushed to the bathroom. The cold water washed over my head and face, and I was shivering with cold. But only in this way could my brain be clearer. I thought to myself, “Don’t be stupid again, Quiana. If you want to let go, don’t think about looking back.” I packed my luggage until dawn. I carried my bag and prepared to go to the company. Spencer came out of the bathroom and stood in front of me with one hand wiping his wet hair. His tone was still as cold as before, but the content was surprisingly gentle. “It happened suddenly yesterday. I shouldn’t have been so harsh to you.” I restrained my expression. “I understand. It’s normal to be emotional when you meet your first love again.” He frowned slightly. “Are you mocking me?” I didn’t want to talk to him anymore and reached out to push him away. “You’re overthinking it. I’m going to work.” But he kept getting closer to me. He was 6.1 feet tall and sturdy. He held me in front of him. “You don’t need to go to work. Resign. You don’t have to take care of the company’s affairs again.” I was stunned. I asked in disbelief, “Who will take over?” Spencer hesitated for a second, then said, “Taylor. She studied MBA abroad and has rich experience.” How ridiculous! I tried to train new people to take over my position as assistant to the president before. But Spencer had a cold personality, and he knew it himself. He wanted others to know from his expression whether he wanted coffee, cut down the project, or add investment. Who could stand it? A newbie like Taylor who had never worked before? I suppressed my anger and said indifferently, “It’s hard to judge. I wish her success.” Spencer came closer but didn’t see the reaction he wanted from my face. After a long pause, he added another condition. “You must teach Taylor all relevant professional skills before you leave.” I pursed my lips. “No.” “I’ll give you one million dollars.” I laughed in anger. “Mr. Scott, do you think I need the one million dollars?” He snorted coldly, “Then what have you been doing with me for so many years? Isn’t it just for these benefits from me?” Benefits? I stared at his eyes, trying to find a hint of a joke in them. But no. He was serious. I followed him for seven years. Four years on campus and three years of entrepreneurship. I was like a lackey, full of him in my heart. People who knew me knew that I really liked him. But Spencer thought I was being with him just for benefits. What were these seven years for me then? Unlucky for me. I laughed so hard that tears came out. “One million dollars is too little. I want five million dollars.” “Okay.” When I signed the resignation letter, I was relieved. I waited in the office for more than an hour before Taylor came in with a nonchalant look on her face. I got straight to the point. “Here are the documents you need to be familiar with. Read them today.” But she didn’t even look at them. She pouted and said, “Why do I need to do these jobs? I’m the boss’ wife. Let the employees do these things.” The veins on my forehead popped out. “I don’t care if you will be the boss’ wife in the future, but you are the president’s assistant now. You should do what you should do in this position.” But she just thought I was deliberately making things difficult for her. She went to Spencer’s office. It was during working hours, but she still got into his arms and acted like a spoiled child. “Spencer, Quiana is making things difficult for me. She wants to assign me a lot of work. I can’t do it.” I stood in front of Spencer with the documents in my hand. “This is my teaching style. If you don’t like it, you can ask someone else.” Spencer never looked at me, just consoling Taylor in his arms. “If you are tired, take a rest. There is no rush.” I clenched the documents in my hand and turned to leave. But the thing I least wanted to see still happened. Even though I helped Taylor with the aftermath, she still got into big trouble.

I warned her many times, but she still published the company secrets that must not be leaked on the company’s official website. I took the most urgent measures, but I still couldn’t avoid being held accountable. She cried and put all the blame on me. “Quiana didn’t tell me. I didn’t know. Spencer, blame me if you want to.” He looked up at me with his cold eyes. I had been with him for so many years. How could I not see the doubt in his eyes? I stepped forward to confront him in disbelief. “Spencer, when have I ever made such a low-level mistake in all the years that I have worked with you?” His index finger tapped the table. It was his habitual action when thinking. But I still thought it was ridiculous. He not only doubted my feelings for him but even doubted my most basic professional ethics! I looked into his eyes and said, “Have you lost your sense of right and wrong for her?” Spencer’s face clearly flashed a trace of hesitation, but it disappeared in an instant. “No matter what, you are the one who taught Taylor. If she makes a mistake, you will definitely be the first to be held accountable. Just apologize on the official website. No one will say anything.” He knew very well whose fault it was, but he still chose me as a scapegoat without hesitation. Was the difference between love and not love? It was so big. I was shaking with anger. “I have told her this ten times. Even an idiot should have learned it. Why do you ask me to apologize?” Taylor picked up the ink bottle on the table and smashed it on me. She cursed sharply, “You bitch. You can’t teach well yourself, but you blame me.” Her words were dirty and unpleasant, but I ignored them. I just stared at Spencer’s face. But he only cared about the ink stains on Taylor’s hands, carefully wiping her fingers one by one. “Spencer!” “Just do it.” The string in my heart broke. The back of my head felt like it had been hit hard, and it hurt so much. I held back my tears and went forward, smashing the bank card with five million dollars in it in his face. “I won’t apologize. I can’t teach her. Mr. Scott, please ask someone else.” He was obviously a little guilty, looking at me as if he was enduring something. But in the end, he still didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to look back, so I didn’t see the reluctance in his eyes. After leaving the company, I leaned against the big tree at the door for a long time, still felt nauseous, and couldn’t stop wanting to retch. Suddenly, I covered my abdomen, and a sense of uneasiness surged in my heart. I was actually two months pregnant. We took protective measures every time, but no contraceptive method was absolute after all. If it was before, maybe I would have given birth to the child without even thinking about it. But now, I didn’t want to. A week after I made an appointment for an abortion, I was notified to come for surgery. When I entered the hospital with the pregnancy test report, I ran into Taylor. I turned around and left, but she still saw me. She rushed in front of me and said in a stern tone, “Today is Spencer’s regular stomach check-up time. What are you doing here? You’ve been fired. Did you follow him to the hospital? Are you still thinking about seducing Spencer?” I didn’t want to talk to her. She took the pregnancy test report from my hand. “You are pregnant!” Taylor shouted in surprise, “Go to get an abortion! I won’t allow my future husband to have a child outside.” “A child outside?” Spencer heard the argument and came over. I quickly snatched the pregnancy test report and stuffed it into my bag.   Spencer’s eyes lingered on my abdomen for a long time. I gritted my teeth secretly and turned my face away from him. I didn’t want him to know of the existence of this child. Taylor folded his hands and said sarcastically, “Quiana said she wanted to give birth to a child for a married man in the future. I said that this is not good.” Spencer was suddenly shocked, and he said in a heavier tone, “Children should not be a means for gold diggers to get married. Even if they are born, they will not be recognized.” My abdomen suddenly felt a sharp pain. “You are so nosy. Even if I choose an old and ugly rich man now, you can’t control it.” Spencer’s breathing stagnated, and he stepped forward to pull hold wrists. “You can’t give up on yourself like this.” I pried his fingers apart one by one, and a smile appeared on my pale face. “It’s none of your business.” His eyes were deep, and he seemed to have a lot to say. “Quiana…” I didn’t want to listen, so I turned around and left. But Taylor actually pushed me from behind while I was going down the stairs. The sound in my ears was buzzing, and I couldn’t hear it clearly. “Ah! It wasn’t me. I didn’t touch Quiana!” “If anything happens to Quiana, I’ll kill you!” I fell down the stairs and lay in a pool of blood. Then, my vision became blurred. In a trance, I seemed to see Spencer losing his composure and rushing towards me in a hurry, without his usual rationality and elegance. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself lying on a white hospital bed. I touched my stomach. I could feel that the child had left me. Fine. There was one less thing to worry about between him and me. Spencer sat beside me. Seeing that I woke up, he blew on the soup and raised his hand to feed me. I raised my hand in resistance and overturned the soup cup. The chicken soup he had carefully cooked was spilled all over the floor. He didn’t even frown. He just asked me if I was hungry. I said defensively, “You don’t have to be so hypocritical.” A trace of sadness flashed in his eyes, and just as he was about to explain, his phone suddenly rang. “Take some rest. I’ll be back.” I looked around, and it was full of snacks that I loved to eat. If it weren’t for the people who had lived with me before, they would never know my preferences. The tenderness that I had always dreamed of was now in front of me. But I just felt that he had other intentions. My colleague sent a message on my phone: [Quiana, the video of you and Mr. Scott has gone viral in the company!] My heart tightened. It turned out to be a video of Spencer and me being intimate in the company a month ago. It was spread by someone and labeled as indecent. It had caused a great impact, and even the investors of the Scott Group knew about it. I seemed to know why Spencer suddenly changed and became so gentle to me. He was in the golden period of his career development. If there was a scandal, he could only be temporarily hidden. Otherwise, it was easy to piss everyone off. It was impossible to suppress it, so he could only come out to clarify. But what could he clarify? Our relationship was not pure to begin with. I smiled bitterly when I remembered that when Taylor made a mistake, he decisively pushed me out to take the blame. Maybe he was using the same old trick again. I was discharged from the hospital before Spencer came back after answering the phone. I sent the packed luggage back to my home. Before boarding the plane, I asked my colleague to post a statement in the company chat group: [For three years, I deliberately approached Spencer. The video that was circulated recently was also me seducing him. Now, I have resigned. I have cut off all ties with the Scott Group and have nothing to do with it. Please don’t spread the relevant information.] My dad picked me up in person and took me back to our old house. The next morning, I received a call from Spencer. His tone was more flustered than I had ever heard. “Quiana, where have you been? Who allowed you to do this?”

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I was Bob Packer’s adopted sister. He took pity on my tragic past. For thirteen years, I had been treated like a delicate treasure, nurtured in his immense care. When I turned eighteen, I gathered the courage to confess my feelings to him. However, he distanced himself from me and ignored me for two years. Later, he chose to get engaged to his childhood sweetheart. As for me, I decided to give up and no longer entertain the unfounded hopes. I agreed to a marriage alliance with a young heir from a wealthy family. “Let’s get married,” I said. ***** When my family learned that I had agreed to the marriage alliance with the Hooper family, everyone was shocked. Bob’s mother, Roselyn, gently took my hand, looking at me with a mix of concern and hesitation. “Irene, are you sure about this? Marriage is no joke,” she asked. I smiled faintly, “Roselyn, I’ve thought about it carefully.” “But…” Roselyn furrowed her brows, unsure of what to say. After a brief silence, she sighed, “I suppose… you’ve grown up and have your own mind now. Just don’t let yourself suffer. “While this marriage is beneficial for our family business, we shouldn’t sacrifice your happiness just for profit.” Her words warmed my heart. “Roselyn, I understand. But…” I paused for a moment before continuing, “Could you please not tell Bob about this yet?” Roselyn seemed to understand, her eyes narrowed slightly, and she nodded. With that, she didn’t say anything further. I silently returned to my room, and soon, my best friend Doris called. “No way, Irene! Are you serious?” Doris sounded shocked, but I felt oddly calm. “I’m serious,” I replied. There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line. Doris cautiously asked, “Is this because of Bob? Are you giving up because of him? But even if you’re acting out of spite, you don’t have to throw yourself into this, right?” I bit my lip and fell silent. Maybe it was out of spite, but I didn’t want to wait anymore. He had made it clear he didn’t want to give me a chance… Thirteen years ago, my parents died in an accident, leaving me an orphan. My relatives all rejected me, unwilling to take the burden of raising me. “I have two sons. I simply can’t manage another,” one said. “My family’s situation is difficult,” said another. “Let’s send her to the orphanage,” suggested another. I sat silently in a corner, clutching a family photo tightly in my arms, feeling lost and helpless. Then, a bright voice cut through the chaos. “Irene, come home with me.” I looked up to see a tall, young figure reaching out to hold my hand with a big smile. And at that moment, I had a home again. From then on, I became the adopted daughter of the Packer family and Bob’s younger sister. Although he was only two years older than me and we hadn’t known each other long before, Bob treated me with incredible care, pampering me for thirteen years. He remembered every little thing I liked, took care to help me integrate into the family, and protected me whenever I was wronged. He would always say to me, “No matter what, Irene, don’t be afraid. The Packer family is always behind you, and I’ll protect you forever.” Every word Bob spoke was etched deeply into my heart. I began to realize that my feelings for him went beyond familial affection. I loved him. I wanted to be the one who stayed by his side forever. When I turned eighteen, I lost my composure after seeing him accept another girl’s love letter. I tore it up in a fit of rage and confessed my feelings to him. “Bob, I don’t want to just be your adopted sister. I’m into you!” Our parents had been close friends when my parents were still alive. If Bob and I were together, his parents would not object. But from that point on, Bob became increasingly distant, avoiding me more and more. I didn’t want to give up. I believed that his care for me must have been love, and that he just needed more time. I was willing to wait. But day after day, my persistence became a joke. I would often hear whispers around me. “The Packer family only took her in because she was pitiful. How could she really think she matters?” “There are so many men in the world. Why does she have to fall for her own brother? Isn’t it awkward?” I waited and waited, but never once did Bob say “I’m into you too”. The boy who once loved to tease me never smiled at me again. Eventually, Roselyn, seeing how much I was suffering, kindly advised me. “Bob had a cousin he loved very much when he was young, but she passed away when he was five. “When we decided to adopt you, he was very happy and sympathetic to your situation. He promised he would take good care of you. “Feelings can’t be forced. Don’t be too persistent.” At that moment, I finally understood. Bob was kind to everyone, and his affection for me was no exception. That day, Bob publicly announced that he had decided to get engaged to Daisy Glisson, his childhood sweetheart who had once written him a love letter. Afterward, I replied to Jonathan, “I agree to the marriage.”

When Jonathan first approached me, I didn’t understand. As far as I knew, the Hooper family and the Packer family rarely had any interaction. I knew very little about either the Hooper family or Jonathan. I had only heard rumors, mainly about the Hooper family being internally complicated and full of disputes. After Jonathan’s father passed away unexpectedly, the rest of the Hooper family members became fiercely competitive over control of Hooper Group. As the sole heir of the Hooper family, Jonathan was trapped in a precarious position, facing immense pressure. After much consideration, Jonathan approached me. He knew that the Packer family treated me like their own daughter and was aware of the challenges the family was facing. Unlike others who were driven by ulterior motives, Jonathan trusted the Packer family’s integrity. So, he proposed a marriage alliance to secure his position at the Hooper Group, while offering to form a lifelong partnership with Packer Group, ensuring they would never face any worries. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement—after a year, we would part ways, with no further obligations. Once we finalized the marriage agreement, I left. When I returned home, the house was filled with laughter and joy. It turned out that Bob had brought Daisy along. She was sitting next to Roselyn, seemingly saying something that made Roselyn laugh heartily. The atmosphere was harmonious, as if they were a real family. “Irene, you’re back! Come on, dinner is ready,” Roselyn called out cheerfully, waving at me. I forced a faint smile and said, “Roselyn, I’ve already had dinner.” I was about to head upstairs, but Bob grabbed my arm, his tone brooking no refusal. “Sit down and eat with us.” I pulled my arm free but reluctantly stayed. I deliberately moved to sit beside Roselyn, making sure to keep my distance from Bob. I ate in silence, my thoughts distant. Suddenly, I found a piece of fish placed in my bowl. I looked up and met Bob’s deep gaze. “Why have you been going out so much these past few days? Is something going on?” he asked. My voice was calm. “Nothing’s wrong.” Daisy raised an eyebrow and teased, “Irene’s already twenty, Bob. Why do you control everything she does?” Bob’s gaze darkened, his emotions unreadable. “Don’t mess around with those guys you don’t know much,” he warned. My heart jolted, and I quickly avoided his gaze. “I see. You don’t need to worry about me.” The atmosphere suddenly grew tense. Daisy pursed her lips, glancing between Bob and me. After a while, she gently tugged at Bob’s sleeve and spoke in a soft voice, “How about we go to the beach tomorrow? Bring Irene along, the more the merrier.” Bob frowned slightly. Daisy continued, “You said Irene loves the sea, right? It’ll be a good chance for me to bond with her.” Then she turned to me and asked, “What do you think, Irene?” My heart sank, and I instinctively wanted to refuse. But before I could speak, Bob spoke first, “Okay, let’s go together.” With everyone’s eyes on me, I couldn’t refuse Daisy’s request, so I stayed silent. The meal felt tasteless. The next day, we went to the beach. I sat quietly on a rock, watching Bob and Daisy walk along the shore, holding hands, looking like the perfect couple. It was such a harmonious scene. At that moment, a picture of the past surged in my mind. It was when Bob and I dropped the drift bottles into the sea to make our wishes. Each time, I would make the same wish that I could stay with Bob forever. But the reality was cruel. Suddenly, a desperate cry rang out. “Help! Mommy…” I looked around and saw a young girl not far from me, frantically trying to stay afloat in the waves. The people around her were helpless, and it seemed like the girl was about to be swallowed by the sea. Without thinking, I grabbed a lifebuoy and jumped into the water. But the rising tide made the waves fierce, crashing into me one after another. Though I was a good swimmer, I still swallowed several mouthfuls of seawater. Suddenly, I felt a warm grip on my wrist. I looked back to see Bob, his arms around me as he pulled me into his embrace. After a short struggle, the three of us emerged from the water, shaken but safe. I curled up, shivering uncontrollably. As I looked at Bob, drenched and looking like a drowned rat, a complex mix of emotions surged within me. I bit my lip, about to speak, but before I could, Bob scowled and snapped, “Are you stupid? What’s the point of showing off like that? Or do you think I’ll always be there to save you?”

I stood there frozen, my heart tightening as if I suddenly realized something. The words in my throat were swallowed back. Bob was right—he now had Daisy. He could no longer be by my side all the time. He was no longer the hero who belonged only to me. I took a deep breath, trying to suppress the bitterness inside me. After a long pause, I finally spoke in a hoarse voice, “I’m sorry…” I shouldn’t have caused him trouble. I shouldn’t have taken advantage of his affection. I should have recognized my place long ago. That night, I developed a fever, but I couldn’t fall asleep. The door was suddenly knocked on. I wrapped myself in a blanket and said, “Come in.” The next moment, Bob’s cold expression appeared at the door. He handed me some cold medicine. “Are you still feeling bad? Do you want to go to the hospital?” he asked. I was momentarily taken aback, and I shook my head. “No, thank you. I’m fine.” As I took the medicine from him, my eyes accidentally landed on the ring on his ring finger. It must have been his engagement ring with Daisy. The handmade bracelet I once gave him was gone. The one I had made for him, with a strand of my hair inside, meant to wish him safety. I bitterly smiled to myself. He must have thrown it away, not wanting Daisy to misunderstand. Bob seemed to notice my gaze and quickly withdrew his hand. I kept my expression neutral and casually asked, “Has the wedding date been set?” Bob’s eyes narrowed, and after a brief silence, he replied, “Next month, once I return from my business trip.” A thousand thoughts raced through my mind, but I remained silent. I nodded and said flatly, “I see. Congratulations.” Bob looked at me deeply, his eyes like cold stars in the night. He nodded slightly and said, “Good night.” Then, he turned and left. I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh and whispered to myself, “Bob, I’ve let go. I don’t love you anymore.” Jonathan arrived as planned to discuss the marriage arrangement. Bob’s parents were initially hesitant, but after asking a few times and seeing I had no objections, they didn’t say anything more. My only request was that the wedding be held as soon as possible. Bob’s parents understood and said everything would be up to me. But to my surprise, the week before the wedding, Bob returned beforehand. I went to a banquet that day, and to my surprise, I ran into Daisy again. Instinctively, I wanted to avoid her, but she greeted me warmly. All her words were about Bob, and she even made a point of showing me the necklace Bob had given her. It was one of only two Sapphire Tear necklaces in the world. I kept my composure and said blandly, “It suits you.” Daisy smiled, her eyes gleaming with a barely concealed sense of pride. I didn’t have any emotions at all. Since she wanted to show off, I’d play along. However, not long after, Daisy came over with a group of her friends. Bob was even in the crowd. “Irene, did you steal Daisy’s necklace?” one of the women sneered down at me, her voice full of accusation. I was taken aback. I retorted, “You can just slander others like this without evidence? I’m not that idle.” “How can we believe you? Let us search you!” The woman persisted, clearly convinced it was me. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Fine, go ahead. Search me.” I spread my arms, too tired to argue. Moments later, the woman triumphantly pulled the necklace out of my coat pocket. “Gotcha! Caught red-handed! What do you have to say now?” I was shocked. Looking at the woman’s smug expression, I understood this was all a setup, an act they had staged. The crowd around us murmured in disbelief. Bob’s face darkened as he approached me. “We don’t give you enough pocket money, huh? You even stole things from others?” I was stunned. “You don’t believe me? Can’t you see they’re framing me?” Bob’s face remained emotionless as he said, “Apologize to Daisy!” I stared at him, my nose stinging with unshed tears. “I didn’t do anything wrong!” I shouted. The atmosphere grew tense, thick with unresolved emotions. Seeing this, Daisy quickly stepped in to mediate. “Forget it, Bob. Maybe Irene didn’t mean to.” Bob said nothing but gritted his teeth and repeated, “Apologize!” My heart twisted painfully, and I suppressed the feelings of injustice rising inside me. Without saying another word, I turned and left. Returning home, I packed my bags and left a note for Bob’s parents. I left the home I had lived in for thirteen years. But from now on, it would no longer be my shelter.

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My brother, Nathan Ortega, dropped dead from exhaustion after working 48 hours straight. By the time I rushed to the hospital, Nathan had already been cremated. I didn’t even have time to grieve before the people from an underground casino came knocking on my door, demanding repayment. Only then did I learn Nathan had racked up over a hundred million dollars in gambling debts, and I was the sole heir in his will. To pay off the debt, I was forced to drop out of school and was sold by the casino to a red-light district in some backward country. But then I saw Nathan, who was supposed to be dead, dressed in designer clothes and attending a performance with my best friend, Jillian Sanderson. Nathan tossed out a crisp two-hundred-dollar bill and smiled as he thanked me for my “sacrifice.” I was so enraged I passed out on the spot. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Nathan had “died.” ***** “Sara, you have to stay strong… We did everything we could, but Nathan still…” My best friend Jillian, who also happened to be Nathan’s attending physician, looked at me with a worried expression. She helped me sit down and spoke with regret and sorrow, “You shouldn’t see the body. I know how close you two were. I’m afraid you won’t be able to handle it.” I stared at her familiar face, then glanced down at my unharmed body, stunned. I thought, “Did I… just get a second chance?” I couldn’t believe it. I had been granted a miraculous opportunity to rewrite my fate. In my previous life, when I’d heard the news of Nathan’s sudden death, I’d run five red lights in a frenzy to get to the hospital. But I was still too late. I held his death certificate in my hands and cried until I passed out. When I woke up, Nathan had already been cremated. All that remained of him was a box of ashes. I hadn’t even processed my grief when the people from the underground casino came to collect his debts. That was when I learned Nathan had left me with over a hundred million dollars in gambling debts. Our house was auctioned off, and my grandmother, Karol Ortega, sold off the family business. I had to drop out of school and ended up renting a dingy basement to survive. But I still couldn’t pay off the debt. Eventually, the mob boss sold me to a backward country, where they cut off my limbs and displayed me like some freak show. One day, during a performance, I saw Nathan, who had supposedly been dead for five years, laughing and chatting with Jillian as they walked past me. Nathan mocked me, saying, “Thanks for your sacrifice, Sara. I couldn’t have this life without you.” I was so overwhelmed with rage that I couldn’t even speak. I could only cry and scream. That was when I found out he was my father’s illegitimate son. I died of anger on that stage, while Nathan walked away without a care. Snapping back to the present, I saw Jillian handing me a glass of water. “Here, drink some water. Don’t wear yourself out.” I accepted the glass but didn’t drink it. In my last life, I’d drunk that water and passed out, and when I woke up, everything was too late. It was obvious there was something in it. Jillian glanced at the clock, then turned to find someone to have Nathan taken out of the ER. I rushed forward, grabbing the edge of the bed as I screamed, my voice raw and desperate. “No! Let me see Nathan one last time! He can’t leave me alone!” “Nathan! What am I supposed to do without you?” I wailed as I yanked the white sheet off Nathan’s body. Jillian cried out in shock, but it was too late—the sheet fell away, revealing Nathan’s face, still unnaturally rosy. In my last life, I’d been too stupid to notice these clues. Suppressing the fury that surged within me, I raised my hand and slapped Nathan across the face with all my strength. Jillian let out a shriek, thinking I’d lost control. “Sara! He’s your brother! How could you hit him like that? I know you’re upset, but…” I ignored her completely. Gripping the key in my hand, I jabbed it hard into that scumbag’s stomach. Tears streaming down my face, I sobbed, “You bastard! How could you leave me all alone to go find Mom and Dad? What am I supposed to do without you? “I kept telling you to stop working overtime, to stop burning yourself out, but you never listened…” Jillian, thinking I hadn’t uncovered the truth, let out a breath of relief. Seeing my breakdown, she seemed concerned for Nathan. “Sara, take it easy. Nathan… he can still feel pain…” I stopped crying and stared at her like she was an idiot. “Do dead people feel pain?” Jillian froze, panic flashing across her face as she stammered, “That’s not what I meant. I just…” Unable to explain herself, she regretted saying anything at all and quickly tried to change the subject. “Sara, I called Madam Ortega earlier. She said Nathan has to be cremated today. “She’s just so heartbroken. She wants to take care of everything as soon as possible.” I clenched my fists and laughed coldly in my heart. I thought, “Cremation today? Perfect. If Nathan wanted to play dead, I’d make sure he got the full experience. I’d send him straight into the crematorium myself.”

“No, absolutely not. Before anything else, I want Nathan to have a proper funeral. He deserves to leave with dignity.” I clutched Nathan’s hand tightly, tears streaming down my face. Outside the ER, a small crowd of patients had gathered, watching the scene unfold. As I sobbed, I suddenly turned to Jillian. “Jillian, feel Nathan’s hand. Doesn’t it feel warm? Is it possible… could he still be alive?” Jillian frowned and pulled out the death certificate. “Sara, Nathan is gone. Maybe you’re just warming his hand yourself.” I kept sniffling, ignoring the murmurs of the onlookers who tried to console me with well-meaning but useless words. I pulled out my phone and made a call. “Yes, my brother just passed away. I’d like to donate his organs. Please come quickly.” Jillian’s face turned ghostly pale. Her hands trembled, but she didn’t dare stop me. She fumbled for her phone, hastily typing out a message. I noticed her actions but didn’t intervene. “Sara, Nathan… never said he wanted to donate his organs,” she stammered. I didn’t respond. Moments later, the organ donation team arrived. Jillian tried to block their way. But I played the role of the grieving sister, my voice trembling with emotion. “Nathan was always so kind. I believe he’d want his life to help others continue theirs.” The team of medical staff looked at me with gratitude. “Your family’s generosity will save so many lives. Thank you. “What organs would you like to donate?” I glanced at Nathan and wiped away my tears. “He died suddenly, so… everything. Take whatever is still usable.” Jillian’s expression shifted dramatically. She hurried to stand in front of Nathan’s bed. “Sara, Nathan told me before that he didn’t want to donate his organs!” I looked at her, my eyes narrowing with suspicion. “Jillian, I’m Nathan’s sister. It’s my decision. You’re my friend. Why are you so protective of my brother? “The more you delay, the faster his organs will deteriorate. As a doctor, don’t you understand how vital this is for those waiting for a transplant?” The other medical staff nodded in agreement. “Dr. Sanderson, please step aside. Don’t interfere.” Jillian was visibly panicking now. She stammered, “Sara, I already contacted Madam Ortega. At least… let her see Nathan one last time.” I smirked internally. “So, she really was messaging Karol just now,” I thought. This was what I wanted. I never actually intended to donate Nathan’s organs. If they took him away, his fake death might be exposed. I wouldn’t let that happen. I just wanted to force Karol to show up. I wanted her to watch helplessly as Nathan “died” and know there was nothing she could do about it. Sure enough, less than ten minutes later, Karol burst into the room. She was still dressed in her shopping clothes, her makeup barely smudged. The moment she saw Nathan lying on the hospital bed, she let out a sigh of relief. But then she turned on me, her face twisted with rage, and slapped me hard. “You wicked girl! You killed your parents, and now you want to donate Nathan’s organs?” “You monsters! If anyone touches a single hair on his head, I’ll kill their entire family!” She spat venomous insults at me, her voice filled with fury. She shoved the organ donation staff aside with unrestrained aggression. “We’re not donating anything! Get out! All of you, leave!” The doctors, though regretful, didn’t want to escalate the situation. Shaking their heads, they left the room. Jillian let out a sigh of relief once they were gone. Before Nathan’s fake death, I’d already suspected their relationship wasn’t normal. But I never imagined that someone I’d called a friend for over a decade would conspire with my brother to destroy me. I wanted nothing more than to rip her apart. Karol sat down in a chair, her dramatic performance of grief utterly unconvincing. She began berating me. “You ungrateful brat! Your brother just died, and instead of mourning, you’re trying to give his organs away? “If you’re so eager to donate something, why don’t you just drop dead yourself?” Tears streamed down my face as I whispered, “Grandma, I was wrong. I was so wrong…” Karol slapped me again, the sharp sting numbing half my face. “Stop causing trouble! I’ll take Nathan to be cremated myself!” I didn’t argue. Instead, I picked up the glass of water Jillian had poured earlier and handed it to Karol. “Grandma, have some water first.” Jillian’s eyes widened in shock. Before she could snatch the glass away, Karol had already downed it in one gulp. She’d rushed over, shouted at everyone, and cursed me out. It was no wonder she was thirsty. Jillian muttered under her breath, “This is bad… this is really bad…” Not even a minute later, Karol slumped in the chair, fast asleep. Jillian broke into a cold sweat. When she saw me stand up and fix my gaze on her, she swallowed nervously. “Sara… what are you planning to do now?”

My eyes were red as I carefully draped the white sheet over Nathan’s face. I turned to Jillian. “My grandmother said nothing more can be done.” “Jillian, she must have fainted from grief. Please take care of her. I’m taking Nathan to the crematorium myself. He’ll be cremated immediately.” Jillian’s face turned deathly pale. “Sara, there’s no rush to cremate him. At least wait until Madam Ortega wakes up.” I narrowed my eyes at her. “Jillian, weren’t you just saying earlier that time is critical? Now you’re stalling. “You’re acting like the living aren’t as important as the dead. We’ve been friends for years, but why are you stopping me at every turn today? What are you trying to do? “This is my brother. Don’t I have the right to take care of him?” Jillian was frantic, but she could only watch as I called the crematorium. They arrived quickly, ready to take Nathan away. That was when Jillian couldn’t hold back anymore. With tears in her eyes, she grabbed my arm. “Sara, I saw his hand move. We can still save him!” I stared her down and held up the death certificate. “Jillian, you were the one who declared Nathan dead just moments ago. “Do you know how much your hospital will have to pay if you’re wrong? Negligence that results in death could put you in prison!” Jillian’s lips quivered, but she gritted her teeth and still tried to block me. “You can’t do this!” I pushed her away and followed the crematorium van as it left. In the vehicle, I looked at Nathan’s tightly shut eyes. Thinking about how he’d truly die soon, I couldn’t help but laugh. In my last life, when I ran into him overseas, he seemed to be doing just fine. Nathan had stood before me, narrowing his eyes as he sized me up. “Sara, how did you end up like this?” I wanted to ask why he was still alive, but my tongue had already been cut out by then. Nathan had sneered. “If I didn’t fake my death, how else would I have gotten all that money from the company? “Blame that woman for wanting to leave the company to you instead of me. “But what can I do? I’m not her biological son. I had no choice but to trick you.” Jillian, standing beside him, spat in my face. “Nathan, just looking at her brings bad luck.” Nathan slapped two hundred dollars onto my face and walked off with her in his arms. That was the last thing I remembered. Snapping back to the present, I noticed Nathan’s fingers twitch. I guessed the effects of the sedative were wearing off. Now that he’d heard he was about to be cremated, he was desperate to wake up. “Driver, could you please speed up? My grandmother wishes for my brother to find peace as soon as possible.” The driver obliged, slamming on the gas pedal and racing toward the crematorium. I leaned close to Nathan’s ear and whispered, “Nathan, I know you’re faking it. You, Jillian, and our grandmother are all in on this, trying to make me pay off your gambling debts. “But I’m a good person. I’ve decided to honor your wish and get you cremated right away. “I know you can hear me, you heartless bastard. In my last life, I trusted you, and I died miserably. So don’t blame me for being ruthless this time.” As I finished speaking, a tear rolled down Nathan’s cheek. I chuckled, wiping it away. “Why are you crying already? We’re not even there yet. Save it for when you’re in the furnace.” With the driver’s aggressive speed, we reached the crematorium in just fifteen minutes. There were more than ten people ahead of us, but I couldn’t wait. I went straight to the person in charge. He said there was no cutting in line, but the way he rubbed his fingers together told a different story. I transferred him three thousand dollars and smiled. “Please, sir, help me out.” With the help of money, Nathan successfully jumped the line. In less than five minutes, they wheeled him into the cremation chamber. I made up an excuse, saying I wanted to bid farewell, and asked to press the start button myself. But just as I was about to, I heard Karol and Jillian’s voices yelling from outside. “Stop! You can’t burn him!” They rushed in frantically. Karol slapped me hard across the face. “Are you trying to kill Nathan?” I wailed, tears streaming down my face. “Grandma, Nathan is already gone! Why won’t you let him be cremated?” Jillian stood in front of the cremation chamber, her voice trembling. “Sara, don’t do this… Your grandmother still has things she wants to say to Nathan.” Karol was still shaky from the lingering effects of the sedative. “You little brat! Get out of here! All of you, leave!” I laughed coldly inside but cried and knelt on the ground, kowtowing. “Grandma, please let Nathan rest in peace! I’m begging you.” “Please…” The staff and the families waiting behind us started muttering in frustration. “What’s all this fuss about? Hurry up!” “He’s already dead. What’s left to say?” “Stop wasting everyone’s time!” One impatient family member stepped forward, reaching to press the start button. Karol and Jillian screamed, lunging to stop them. But in their frantic rush, the two of them collided and accidentally slammed the button themselves. Flames roared to life, engulfing Nathan’s body in an instant. “No!” “Ahhh!”

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Carey and I had been in a relationship for five years. A week before the wedding, I found a folder in his computer. It was full of photos and videos of another girl. I secretly applied to work in the branch and bought a plane ticket on the wedding day. He went crazy after knowing that I ran away from the wedding. ***** I stared at the photo of my boyfriend Carey and the girl on the computer. I felt like I was falling into an ice cave. We joined the same company after graduation. He was working overtime that night and urgently needed a document, so he asked me to send it to him. This was the first time I opened his computer. But I found a folder named separately in the pile of files. Only Love. My sixth sense made me click it, but I found that there were tens of thousands of photos and videos in it. They were all about the same girl. In the photos, the two of them smiled sweetly at the camera. In an instant, the memories of the past five years flooded into my mind. We had been together for so long, but there was not a single photo of me on his phone. No matter how I cried, he just said that he didn’t like taking pictures, and we saw each other every day, so there was no need to record. He never took my birthday and our anniversaries to heart. He said that those were just for other people to see, meaningless and easy to forget, so we simply didn’t celebrate them at all. It wasn’t until this moment that I realized that it wasn’t because it was unnecessary; it was just because that person wasn’t me. For five years, I had found all kinds of excuses for his perfunctory and indifference. The way I moved myself was like a joke. I suddenly remembered the shocked expressions of his friends when they heard that we were getting married. “How did you figure it out? We thought you really wanted to stay single for Cecilia!” At that time, I was immersed in the joy of Carey proposing to me, and said happily that I was his only one. Now I understood the meaning of that sentence. In Carey’s eyes, I was a complete clown. I took a deep breath and closed the computer. I wanted to ask him what was going on with these photos, but I found that I hadn’t received a reply from him to the message I reminded him in the morning to take wedding photos the next day. I closed my phone helplessly. In the past, I only thought that he was introverted and not good at expressing himself. Thinking about it now, it was just because he had another woman in his heart and he never opened up to me. There was less than a week left before our wedding. I suddenly wavered and didn’t know whether to insist on marrying him. I sat on the sofa for three or four hours until his friend called. They celebrated his bachelor party. “Yvonne, Carey is drunk. Please come pick him up. I’ll send you the address.” I heard Carey’s voice in the receiver. He was calling “Ceci”. My heart ached. His friend immediately hung up the phone in a panic. I changed my clothes and took my keys to go out. When I changed my shoes, I saw the little bear keychain I gave to Carey was thrown casually in a corner of the shoe cabinet. I found an original DIY shop to make graffiti by myself. He thought it was childish and never wore it. It turned out that some things had been traced long ago. The keychain on the ground seemed to be mercilessly mocking my inner monologue. A sense of unreasonable irritability surged in my heart. I took off my keychain and threw it into the trash can with the one on the ground. People who were not cherished were like key chains, which could only stay in the trash can. I took a taxi to the address his friend sent me. When I opened the door of the box, I heard a joking voice from inside. “Why is Ceci back? Did you come back to steal Carey because you knew he was getting married?”

I forced a smile and looked at the people playing in the box. The man who was going to marry me in a week was leaning on another woman’s arms. The others looked embarrassed and stopped joking. I had seen that woman’s face countless times on Carey’s computer a few hours ago. Carey’s friend saw that he was still clinging to Cecilia and quickly pulled him away. But Carey was too drunk and had a bad temper. “I want to be with Cecilia. Don’t touch me!” His friend had no choice but to whisper in his ear, “Yvonne is here to pick you up! Wake up!” Seeing this, the others came forward to help and finally pulled Carey off Cecilia. Carey lay on the sofa with his head up, his face flushed, and he was still mumbling “Ceci”. His friend quickly introduced her to me. “This is Cecilia Baker. We are friends from college. She just came back from abroad. Carey is drunk and hasn’t seen her for a long time. Don’t think too much…” If it were in the past, I would definitely make a scene and ask them why they invited Cecilia when they knew that Carey and I were getting married. But now I just wanted to leave this place quickly. “I suddenly found that your profile looks quite similar. Ceci, she is Carey’s fiancée Yvonne Zander.” Cecilia on the side looked at me as if I were a clown, which made me feel embarrassed. Carey, who was lying on the sofa, suddenly opened his eyes and explained anxiously. “She’s a friend!” It was not the first time that Carey refused to disclose my identity. He didn’t allow me to post his photos on social media and refused to meet my friends. He didn’t even tell our relatives that we were about to get married. It seemed that I was the only one who took this relationship seriously. I bet our five-year relationship unwillingly. Unexpectedly, I still lost. I took a deep breath, reached out to Cecilia, and forced a smile. “Hello. I’m Carey’s girlfriend, Yvonne. You look much better in person than in the photo.” Their expressions changed instantly because of what I said. The room was eerily quiet. Everyone looked at each other, not knowing what to say. Cecilia smiled disapprovingly and reached out to shake my hand. I turned around to help Carey, who was drunk and unconscious. Even when he was drunk, he refused my touch. He pushed me to the ground with an unhappy look. “Get out! Who allows you to touch me? I want Ceci to take me home.” Cecilia smiled helplessly. “Why are you still trying to be tough when you’re drunk like before?” At that moment, the string in my mind was completely broken. Carey’s friend hurried to explain for him. “Yvonne, don’t think too much. He was just drunk.” I helped him up from the sofa expressionlessly. This time he didn’t resist. While we were waiting for the car downstairs, Cecilia chased us out. She looked at Carey’s face tenderly. She reminded me carefully. “Carey can’t drink much. He gets a migraine easily after drinking. Please wipe his face with a hot towel when you get home. Press his temples and he will feel better. You can put a glass of water by his bed. He will get mad like a child if he can’t find water to drink.” Carey never told me this. It was impossible for me not to feel disgusted when I heard these little habits of his from another woman. I gritted my teeth and said nothing. When I was about to get in the car, she stopped me again. “Why don’t you add me on Facebook? You can ask me if you have any questions in the future.”

I felt like my teeth were about to shatter and my body couldn’t stop shaking. Cecilia held her phone out to me with an innocent look, as if she really just wanted to help me. I nodded and added her on Facebook. After getting in the car, I threw Carey on the seat and looked at the night view flying by outside the window. My tears finally fell uncontrollably. I had heard about the influence of first love before, but I didn’t take it seriously. I thought that being together day and night could overcome everything. But after seeing it with my own eyes, I was defeated. Carey’s phone rang several times on the way. Some of the messages were from his friend asking if he had arrived home. I unlocked the screen and wanted to reply politely, but I saw the chat history between him and his friend. [Ceci told me that she is back. She must have heard that I was getting married!] [My marriage to Yvonne was fake, just to get Ceci back. Don’t tell anyone.] I looked at the two messages in disbelief and locked the screen suddenly. My heart seemed to be grabbed by a big hand, and my breathing became rapid. My tears flowed down like a bursting river. No wonder he suddenly proposed to me a week ago. There were no surprise, ring, or gifts. No wonder he didn’t let me announce the news on social media or tell my family. I thought my efforts finally moved him. I didn’t expect that the wedding I had been looking forward to for five years was just a means for him to get his first love to return home. Carey was a little sober after arriving home. He pushed me away and went to the bathroom to wash up. When I brought the water upstairs, he was lying on the bed with a look of discomfort. I put the glass on the bedside and reached out to press his temple gently with my fingertips. After a few seconds, he opened his eyes and grabbed my wrist with a ferocious look. “Where did you learn this? Don’t touch me!” He shook my hand off fiercely, turned his back to me, and resisted my approach. I smiled bitterly. He didn’t even want me to know about this habit. The same action I did was a very bad imitation in his eyes. I lay on the sofa, unable to fall asleep. I simply took out my phone and clicked on Cecilia’s Facebook profile. Her Facebook background was a photo with Carey. In the photo, they were wearing one scarf under the heavy snow, smiling sweetly at the camera. She hadn’t posted much in the past few years, so it was easy for me to flip back to five years ago. At that time, she hadn’t gone abroad yet. She and Carey enthusiastically showed off their daily love to everyone. I also discovered another side of Carey. He didn’t want to stay up late to spend New Year’s Eve with me. But he could wait outside for several hours on a cold night just to take pictures of the first snow that Cecilia wanted to see. He didn’t remember my birthday, but he would prepare a birthday surprise for her half a month in advance. If Cecilia hadn’t gone abroad, they agreed to get married after graduation. My eyes were blurred by tears unconsciously. I always thought Carey just didn’t understand romance. It turned out that it was because I was not important and he didn’t want to spend time with me. In the two years they were together, Cecilia posted hundreds of posts. I was like a thief spying on other people’s happiness. The next day was the day we agreed to take wedding photos. Carey got up early as if nothing had happened. When he came out of the bathroom, he had already dressed up carefully. He was wearing a handmade suit, sprayed perfume. He even shaved and had his hair done. Seeing him take it so seriously, I suddenly felt a glimmer of hope.   During the five years we were together, he didn’t allow me to go out with him. He said he didn’t like people staring at him. He was gone when I finished washing up. I took a taxi to the bridal shop alone. He was still nowhere to be seen until I finished my makeup and changed into my wedding dress. There were other people waiting to be photographed behind me, so I took out my phone and called him. After a beep, it showed that the call could not be connected. His phone was turned off. I waited in the bridal shop until the afternoon and called him countless times. Finally, I couldn’t make excuses for him anymore. I looked at the confused staff and smiled forcefully. “Sorry to keep you waiting. I will pay the money. Let’s call it a day today.” Finally, I changed back into my own clothes and went home. I thought he dressed up carefully for me, but reality woke me up again. He didn’t care about me, so how could he remember the agreement to take wedding photos with me? Carey returned home at 11 o’clock in the evening. He turned on the light and was startled to see me sitting on the sofa. “Do you want to scare me to death by sitting there like a dead person in the middle of the night?” He was drunk and couldn’t walk steadily. “Where have you been today?” I looked at him. My eyes were so sour that I couldn’t cry anymore. Carey looked impatient. “I’m working overtime at the company. Can you stop being so suspicious?” I sneered. I had already asked, and the company had approved a week of wedding leave for him. What kind of overtime did he work? “Don’t you know to come over and help me?” If it were the past, I would definitely run around to prepare bath water and sobering soup for him. Seeing me sitting on the sofa without moving, he called out. I got up. And before I got close, I smelled the perfume mixed with the smell of alcohol. It was exactly the same as Cecilia’s that night. I suddenly felt a little sick. It turned out that he left me alone in the bridal shop to find her. “Carey, do you know that today is the day you promised me to take wedding photos?” His blushing face was stiff for a moment. After I said that, I turned and went upstairs. I heard him cursing behind me. “You’re angry with me because of this? What’s wrong with you? Did I forget it on purpose? How did I know I had to work overtime today?” I closed the door and didn’t listen to his harsh words. I covered my mouth and slid down to the floor against the wall to stop myself from crying. Cecilia posted a photo on Facebook a few minutes ago. The delicious food in the photo looked appetizing. She smiled shyly at the camera. I could see the back of a man in a handmade suit in the kitchen behind her. She wrote:[There is no one else in my sight. After all the twists and turns, it’s still you. I believe we still have many years to go!] He disappeared for a whole day to celebrate her birthday. I buried my head in my knees and let the tears flow. The result of this relationship was obvious. I didn’t know what I was still holding on to. Carey went to the guest room to sleep after taking a shower. The next day he ignored me and went out. He was waiting for me to give in and admit my mistakes to him as I had done before. I called my boss. “Gavin, is there still a spot for the branch office you mentioned last time? I’ve made up my mind. I want to go.” He was very happy and relieved. “Okay. I’ll submit your information now. But aren’t you getting married soon…” “It’s okay. Don’t worry. I’m not getting married.”   I booked a flight ticket for the wedding day and set a countdown to remind myself. In the next three days, I packed my luggage and went back to the company to complete the handover. Carey went out early and came home late every day. There was no doubt that he must have gone to accompany Cecilia. Maybe because he saw my cold attitude towards him, Carey did not go out for the first time that day. He offered to take me out for dinner to make up for standing me up last time when taking wedding photos. I did not refuse, thinking that it would be good to have a farewell dinner at the end. His phone rang before the dishes were served. He hung up quickly and looked at me. “Yvonne, I need to go to the bathroom.” I saw through his poor excuse and nodded. He walked out with a sense of relief. Two minutes later, I waved to the waiter. “We can pay the bill.” The waiter looked puzzled. “But the dishes are not served yet. You haven’t eaten yet…” “It’s okay. I’ll pay the bill now.” If I guessed correctly, Carey wouldn’t come back. Even for this last meal, he still left me to find Cecilia. But I was no longer upset. The next day was the day of my wedding with Carey, and also the day I went to the branch office. In the evening, when I was explaining my departure on the phone, Carey suddenly opened the door and came in. After I hung up the phone, he asked me, “Leaving? Where are you going?” I replied indifferently, “Nothing. I’m going on a business trip for a few days.” He didn’t ask again, or maybe he was too lazy to care about me. He put the cake in his hand in front of me as if to please me. “I went to buy you the cake you like. When I went back, the waiter said you had already left.” It took him five hours to buy this cake. I didn’t expose him. I just smiled at the mango on it. Carey breathed a sigh of relief and laughed out loud. “I knew you would like it!” “It’s been five years, and you still don’t remember that I’m allergic to mangoes.” His expression changed instantly. He stood there at a loss, trying to explain anxiously, but couldn’t say anything. After returning to the room, I saw a Facebook post from Cecilia. The picture was Carey’s back as he helped her fix the faucet in the bathroom. She wrote:[You’ll come whenever I need you. I feel at ease with you around.] I knew she posted it to me on purpose. I sneered, turned off my phone, and slept all night with my clothes on. The countdown on my phone had turned to zero. The next day, I got up, washed, and headed straight to the airport. I suddenly felt very fortunate that the wedding was fake. No one else knew except his few friends. Fortunately, I didn’t tell my parents. Otherwise, I really didn’t know how to explain it to them. After getting out of the taxi, I called Carey to break up. As soon as the call was connected, his irritable voice came out. “Why are you rushing? I won’t run away. “Ceci went to the hospital due to a pollen allergy while trying to buy you flowers. I’ll be over once I finish here. “Comfort my friends. I’ll talk to you later!” After that, he hung up the phone impatiently. I was calm and sent him a message with a blank expression. [Let’s break up. I’ll leave the wedding to you two.]

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After I gave Arthur Hastings, the man who raised me for twelve years, the antidote, he started avoiding me like the plague. When I finally decided to tell him I was pregnant, I found him at home with Grace Fairfax, a famous actress signed to his company. Seeing me, Grace smirked. “So this is the delicate beauty Mr. Hastings keeps hidden away in his golden cage? The rumors were true.” He wrapped his arms around Grace and headed toward the bedroom without even looking back. Don’t mind her, he said dismissively. “She’s just the kid I raised for someone else.” I gave a bitter laugh, went to the hospital to get rid of the baby, and left Claudia that very night. ***** I was like a pampered flower blooming in a wealthy estate, showered with affection since childhood. But after the pillars of my family passed away one by one, my beauty became my curse, with every man in the estate wanting to taste the forbidden fruit. If it weren’t for Arthur, I would have been devoured by their hungry wolves long ago. He was my father’s close friend and the head of the Claudia elite family, always looking out for me. If he couldn’t reach me for two hours, he would turn the entire Claudia estate upside down to find me. But all this protection was withdrawn a month ago. That night, he was drugged by his enemies. I took off my red dress and embraced him on my own accord. After he woke up, he avoided me like the plague. I thought he was just shy, struggling to accept our changed relationship. But yesterday, he brought a woman home and spent the entire night with her in the study next to my bedroom. Like a masochist, I pressed my ear against the wall all night until dawn broke. My tears had all dried up. Finally, I realized the truth. He had never loved me. The maid, Kelly Thornton, knocked on my door. “Ms. Birch, today’s ingredients are ready.” At six o’clock, it was time for me to prepare Arthur’s daily meals. Ever since I moved into Hastings Manor, I hadn’t missed a single day. Even though I knew perfectly well that Arthur had his nutritionist and didn’t need my help, I still carefully packed all the meals. I’d even sneak in a heart-shaped decoration. He’d brush it off, saying, “Don’t bring any more next time,” but his plate would always end up empty. I’d smile sweetly and promise it was the last time, yet the next day would be no different. I couldn’t help but smile bitterly. Love made me both presumptuous and contentedly humble. But now, I found myself saying, “No need, Kelly. I won’t be making them anymore.” Whether he ate not or adequately was no longer my concern. I packed up my belongings. It was time to leave Hastings Manor. Better to leave on my terms than wait for Arthur to show me the door. At least I could keep my dignity. That evening, when Arthur returned, he handed his coat to the servant and strode toward me. “Aria, where’s today’s lunch?” I kept my eyes down, took a sip of water, and replied casually, “What lunch?” I focused on my packing checklist, making sure everything would be easy to pack. When I finally looked up after a while, I noticed he’d been staring at me with furrowed brows. I feigned surprise, “What’s wrong?” He stood there as usual, but I couldn’t help noticing a hint of hurt in his eyes. “Why didn’t you bring me lunch today?” I curved my eyes into a smile and chuckled softly, “Weren’t you against me seeing you off? It works better, anyway. Less stress for both of us. Is something wrong?” Arthur clenched his jaw at my puzzled expression. “Nothing.” He coldly said and turned away. He was angry, but I no longer cared. I used to love him too much, always anxious and desperate to guess his thoughts, terrified of making him unhappy. I spent twelve years loving him cautiously, creating an unbearable burden for us both. It was finally time to wake up. After packing several boxes of belongings, I went to bed early. Tomorrow morning, I had an appointment to terminate the pregnancy. The following day, Grace, the glamorous actress, all dolled up in heavy makeup, sashayed around in her silk pajamas, bossing Kelly around like a queen. She glanced at me, her eyes filled with mockery and amusement. “Hey, little canary!” I fidgeted with my hands, refusing to acknowledge the label. Everyone seemed to think I was just some delicate flower clinging to Arthur for dear life. Unfazed by my silent protest, she shoved a black card into my hand. “Mr. Hastings is something else, you know? It was rough with me all night, but he still remembers to give you your allowance for next month. Here you go.” I smiled faintly and pushed the card back. “No, thank you.” “Throwing a tantrum, are we?” “There’s no need to give me an allowance anymore. Thank you for everything, Mr. Hastings.” Grace didn’t say a word, but suddenly, a hand clamped down on my wrist, the grip like iron. I turned to see Arthur, his face pale, his hawk-like eyes bland into me. “Aria,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “What do you mean by that?”

I tried to pull away slightly, but he tightened his grip, his expression resolute. With a soft laugh, I said, “You’ve given me enough over the years, Arthur. More than enough for my next life.” His expression softened, and he finally let go of my wrist, turning to Grace and showering her with affection, leaving me standing there alone. I discreetly rubbed my wrist, where his hand had been, feeling the lingering warmth. I had to be crazy. For a moment there, I actually felt like he didn’t want me to leave. I gathered my documents and prepared to leave for the clinic. Arthur, unusually, was still at home. He sat on the sofa, reading the newspaper. Seeing me with my bag, he frowned and asked, “Where are you going?” I tightened my grip on the strap of my purse and lied, “Just going for a walk.” Arthur’s eyes narrowed, and his lips thinned. “Aria, you always fidget when you lie.” I pressed on, “I really do have an appointment. I have to go.” “Stop.” His single word halted me in my tracks. “Damn it,” I cursed inwardly. Years of being under his thumb, years of ingrained obedience, and even now, I couldn’t slip away to get a simple abortion done without him knowing. He led me to the walk-in closet, a room filled with dresses of every kind. “Pick one. We’re going to Grace’s birthday party tonight.” I looked at the tall, handsome man in front of the full-length mirror and, for once, dared to talk back. “What’s her birthday got to do with me?” Arthur was silent for a moment, then bent down and whispered in my ear, “Aria, you’re the only family I have left.” Family… My eyes stung. It was a relationship forever confined to its boundaries. I turned away, pushing him out the door. “Yeah, yeah, I got it. I’ll be ready soon.” As the curtain fell behind me, a tear slipped down my cheek. Perhaps out of defiance, I deliberately chose a red dress with a plunging neckline that dipped all the way to my navel. I stepped into a pair of strappy stilettos, the picture of glamour. Arthur took one look at me, his brow furrowing like a mountain range. “What are you wearing?” “Just trying to look good for a party,” I replied innocently. “Wouldn’t that make me more appealing?” Arthur bit his tongue as he reached into the garment bag and roughly pulled out a frilly white dress, the kind that would swallow me whole. “Wear this,” he demanded. I didn’t understand his sudden hostility. For the first time, I defied him. That night, I wore a backless purple dress. My shoulder blades, stark against my fair skin, jutted out slightly like a butterfly about to take flight. As Arthur and I entered the ballroom, all eyes were on us. It wasn’t just my beauty that drew their attention, but also our status. Arthur’s name held weight in the capital’s elite circles, enough to make the entire room flock to him. Business tycoons lined up to clink glasses, and after settling me at a table, he turned to greet them, navigating the crowd with an effortless grace. He was like the moon in the night sky, noble and elegant. I had dreamed countless times of reaching for that moon. But when Arthur and Grace, hand in hand, announced their engagement in front of everyone, I knew the moonlight I had stolen was only temporary. From the audience, my eyes met Arthur’s across the room. I laughed, tears streaming down my face, and raised my hand to applaud him. My palms stung from the force of it. He faltered for a moment, then quickly looked away. Grace and Arthur approached me, wine glasses in hand. She leaned against him, her smile radiant with happiness. “You’re Mr. Hastings’ relative, which naturally makes you mine as well. This toast is for you.” I held my wine glass, feeling a little awkward. In the past, he would never have let me drink alcohol outside. I glanced at Arthur, who seemed to have no intention of intervening today. With a slight curve of my lips, I drained the glass in one gulp and said calmly, “Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness together.”

Something was wrong with the drink! The realization hit me like a ton of bricks, and I found myself crouched in a bathroom stall, vision blurring. I dialed Arthur’s number over and over again, but it went straight to voicemail. Panic clawed at my throat. Who could I trust? Footsteps hurried past the stall, then stopped right outside my door. A chilling voice slithered through the cracks. “Found you.” I screamed, but my cries were met with silence. The flimsy stall door burst open, and a hulking, bearded man barged in. I swung my stiletto heel with all my might, but it was no use. He clamped a hand over my mouth, his other hand roaming my body with disgusting familiarity. His lips trailed down my neck, leaving a sickeningly wet path. Just as despair began to consume me, Arthur’s voice suddenly broke through from the other side of the door. “I’ll send Aria away. You don’t have to worry about it.” My heart skipped a beat. “Can you really let her go? After all these years,” Grace’s sweet voice echoed. “You know better than anyone how I feel about that.” “I can tell that girl still wants to marry you.” “Hah, maybe in the next life.” The sound of passionate kissing erupted from behind the door. I let out a bitter laugh as tears streamed down my face. Just a wall away, yet one side was hell, the other heaven. A sharp pain suddenly shot through my abdomen, and blood pooled around me on the floor. A muffled cry of agony escaped through the man’s palm pressed against my mouth. “Mmph…” Outside, Arthur suddenly snapped to attention and kicked the bathroom door open. He found me collapsed on the floor, clothes partially torn, in a pitiful state. His eyes blazed with fury as he slammed the man’s head against the sink. Again and again, each impact drew more blood. He attacked like a man possessed. No one dared approach him, not even Grace. He held me close, my blood staining his clothes, but he didn’t seem to care. “Find out who did this! Now!” His voice was raw with fury. “Where’s the doctor? Get a doctor here!” He ran like a madman, searching for a doctor, holding me tightly in his arms. As I drifted off to sleep, the last thought that flickered through my mind was the loss of our child. Arthur and I were truly over. From that day forward, Arthur confined me to the villa, refusing to let me step outside. Even for a casual stroll, he insisted on having me constantly watched. But I didn’t want to drown in this kind of suffocating care anymore. I had to leave. The flight was scheduled for tonight. If I missed it, who knew when the next chance would come? I reached the door, and Arthur’s domineering voice boomed from behind. “Where do you think you’re going?” I took a deep breath. “Arthur, you can’t keep me locked up like this forever.” “You know I can. ” My hands clenched into fists, knuckles bone white. “I love you,” I choked out. He froze. “What?” I locked eyes with him, forcing the words out. “I said, I love you. “Being near you, all I can think about is touching you, kissing you, being with you as your lover. “You think that night was a mistake? I planned it. I thought, if you fell for my body, maybe you’d…” Arthur’s face darkened. “Shut up!” he roared. I stood frozen as he stormed toward me. “I raised you for twelve years. Was it for you to throw away your self-respect, your self-worth like this? “I will never love you. We have no future. Give up.” See? I didn’t need any tricks. All it took was baring my heart, and he recoiled. A bitter smile twisted my lips as I watched him walk away. Kelly watched all this, her heart aching. “Ms. Birch,” she said, “why are you hurting yourself like this?” I shook my head and went back to my room. I didn’t bring a single gift Arthur had given me over the years. To keep Arthur from finding me, I faked my death. The fake me died in a car crash explosion. The real me boarded a plane to a faraway place. Goodbye, Arthur. Goodbye forever…

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My name was Evelyn Luis. The day I suddenly suffered from a heart attack, only my son, Matthew Luis could save my life as he was the chief thoracic surgeon at Central Hospital. But when I called him, he was busy helping his first love’s cat give birth. “Can you stop making a scene? You actually cursed my mom. So disgusting!” Matthew hung up without hesitation, leaving his wife, Lila Collins, watching helplessly as I died despite the efforts to resuscitate me. Later, at my funeral, the room was filled with mourning. The well-dressed Matthew collapsed on the ground, pleading desperately, “Mom! Mom! Please don’t leave me.” I found it truly laughable. At that moment, he forgot his scheming first love. ***** I lay on the cold emergency bed, struggling to make a sound through the oxygen mask. I gasped for breath, my heart in excruciating pain, unable to get out a complete sentence. “Lila… Matthew… Matthew…” I felt my time was running out, and I looked at Lila, who was anxiously beside me, wanting to ask where Matthew had gone. Fortunately, Lila understood what I meant. She held her phone and gave me a reassuring smile. “Evelyn, he is on his way. Don’t worry. He will make it!” As she said this, I didn’t believe her. Just moments ago, I clearly saw her answer the phone and then hang up shortly after, her anxious expression only deepening. “Call… Call him!” I struggled to speak. Unable to resist, Lila made another call to Matthew right in front of me. The moment the call connected, surprise crossed Lila’s face as she hurriedly spoke, “Matthew, your mom is in critical condition!” The voice from the phone was loud, and I immediately heard a woman giggling. “Is that you, Lila? My little cat is giving birth. Matthew has to be here with me. Can’t you let him have just a little freedom? “If something happens to my cat, it would be five lives lost. You wouldn’t be so vicious, right?” Lila tried to say more, but the woman abruptly hung up the phone. She looked up at me, forcing a strained smile. “Evelyn, Matthew said he is on his way, but there’s traffic. We just have to wait a bit longer.” My heart ached even more, and the emergency machines began to alarm. The doctors gathered around me quickly. A young doctor approached Lila and handed her a document. “I’m sorry, but please sign this critical condition notification. “If we don’t get our chief here for emergency surgery within half an hour, she might…” I knew the “chief” was referring to Matthew. Lila trembled as she signed the critical condition form, then she repeatedly dialed Matthew’s number on her phone. I looked at her, feeling utterly hopeless. Matthew’s father died before he was born. For all these years, I had played both mother and father, enduring countless hardships to raise him properly. When he got accepted to medical school, he brought me his admission letter, promising that he would repay me well. I never expected, in the end, this was how he would repay me. Doctors came and went, leaving only machines to sustain my life, which was rapidly approaching its end. Lila cried in desperation, but she didn’t stop trying to call. She was a thoughtful girl. Over the years, she had treated me almost like her own mother. Perhaps I shouldn’t have pushed her to marry Matthew back then. If I hadn’t, she wouldn’t have had to struggle to maintain this loveless marriage, which also wasted her youth. I shed a tear of regret, only to hear her voice rise in shock and anger. “Matthew, your mom had a heart attack! You need to come to the hospital for surgery to save her!” A flicker of hope reignited within me. But Matthew’s words shattered my hope. “Lila, can you stop lying? “Your old tricks don’t work anymore, and now you’re cursing my mom. You truly are malicious!” After hearing this, Lila lost her composure and shouted, “Matthew!” In the end, she couldn’t persuade Matthew, and she could only stand by my bed, holding my hand while wiping her tears. I didn’t blame her. If I were to blame someone, it would be myself for raising an ungrateful son without realizing it. Their flawed marriage perhaps should never have existed from the start. I struggled to speak, my voice so faint that she had to lean close to hear me. “Lila, after I’m gone, if you want a divorce, go ahead. I am sorry.” My heart ached more and more, and dark spots began to cloud my vision. Suddenly, I felt a sense of liberation wash over me. I floated in the air, watching as the cardiac monitor turned into a straight line. Lila held me, crying uncontrollably. Nurses rolled away my lifeless body, leaving Lila standing alone in the hospital corridor, dazed. I didn’t know how long it passed, but eventually, she seemed to remember something, took out her phone, and first saw Matthew’s social media update. Matthew: [Witnessed the miracle of life again with my beloved.] The accompanying photo was of him with a young girl and four little kittens. Upon closer inspection, a surge of anger erupted within me. I recognized that young girl.

That girl was named Annie Crawford, and she was Matthew’s girlfriend during college. When I first met her, she pretended to be innocent and kind, but in reality, she was a vain and materialistic person. After I exposed her true nature, she claimed, “Boys from single-parent families are all mama’s boys,” and demanded that Matthew cut ties with me. We had a lot of quarrels over it back then. In the end, she left Matthew on her own. I never expected that Matthew would rekindle his relationship with her. Outside, the rain poured heavily. Lila used the location from Matthew’s social media to find the pet hospital where they were. I saw Matthew and Annie sitting closely together on a bench in the pet hospital. In the warm, soft lighting of the pet hospital, they exchanged a passionate kiss filled with affection. No wonder Matthew didn’t care that his biological mother was dying in the hospital, nor did he care about his wife’s desperate cries. It turned out it was because he had his first love by his side. I knew from the social media post that they were together but seeing it with my own eyes still made my heart ache even more than when I was having a heart attack. He knew Annie had stirred up trouble between us, yet he remained lost in his world of affection, making me wait for help and ultimately dying in the emergency room. Lila was soaked and looked disheveled from the rain. Seeing their intimacy, she rushed in and slapped Matthew across the face. Her eyes turned red, and her voice trembled. “How can you still be so happy? “Matthew! It is because of you that Evelyn died! “Do you know that Evelyn kept her eyes open until the end, wanting to see you one last time?” But Matthew didn’t believe her at all. He tightly grasped Lila’s wrist. “Lila, are you done causing a scene? “Isn’t it enough that you lied to me over the phone? Do you have to come here and embarrass yourself?” Lila shook with anger, completely ignoring the curious gazes around them. “I didn’t!” “You didn’t? Mom got annual check-ups, and her heart was never an issue. How could she suddenly have a heart attack? “My mom treated you like a daughter. Why did you curse her?” I watched as Matthew fiercely protected Annie, who nestled in his arms, while he turned aggressive and violent toward his wife. He studied medicine for eight years yet didn’t understand that even healthy individuals could suddenly suffer from heart problems. He simply didn’t care about me or his wife. He was just finding excuses for his favoritism toward Annie. I realized this, and I felt the endless coldness. When did Matthew become such a despicable person? Lila was brought to tears by his harsh words. But she didn’t leave. She even wanted to show Matthew the payment records on her phone. At that moment, Annie snatched her phone away and threw it on the ground. “Lila, we’re in a hospital. My little cat is inside undergoing surgery. Don’t you know that hospitals need to maintain silence? “You have no manners in public and curse Matthew’s mother privately. Matthew is so unlucky to have you as his wife!” There were many onlookers in the pet hospital who started to criticize Lila. “She is truly a social disgrace.” “How can such a woman attract any man?” “She is drenched in the rain and wearing a white shirt. She isn’t trying to use that to lure her husband back home, is she?” I was a university professor who had never clashed with anyone in my life and had never heard such filthy language before. I wanted to shield Lila from the insults, to cover her ears so she wouldn’t hear these slurs, but I could only watch helplessly as my translucent hand passed through her body. Matthew listened to the crowd’s comments, feeling humiliated. He harshly said, “Annie is right. A woman like you doesn’t deserve to be my wife. Lila, we are getting a divorce!”

That was what I wanted Lila to do, but it was brought up first by Matthew. During their years of marriage, although they were not deeply in love, at least they maintained a courteous relationship. Matthew was busy with work, hardly paying attention to his family. Without Lila’s support, his life would surely have been a mess. Yet Matthew completely failed to see Lila’s contributions. Even when Lila was publicly criticized, he would still stab her in the back. I turned to look at the crumbling Lila, eager to wipe her tears away. But I could only watch as she bit her lip, suppressing her sobs as she asked Matthew, “Matthew, have you thought it through? If you don’t leave with me today, you won’t have another chance. “Do you really want to be with the woman that Evelyn disliked the most while she was alive?” As soon as Lila finished speaking, the surgery room door swung open. Annie’s cat was wheeled out. So, no one cared about Lila’s question or my death news. They held hands together, softly comforting the cat that was still under anesthesia. The doctor spoke to Annie about post-operative care. But Matthew suddenly turned around, glancing at the disheveled Lila as if she were a stranger. This time, Lila didn’t try to hold him back. I watched her clench her fists and quietly say, “Evelyn, I really tried my best. Please don’t blame me.” I felt both touched and sad, almost shedding tears. I wanted to tell her what a good girl she was and that I could never blame her. Though it had only been a few minutes, I had already seen it clearly. Matthew was no longer the Matthew I once knew. He was clearly the murderer who caused my death. The only one who still treated me like family was Lila. Meeting Lila and having this time together made me feel like the luckiest person. The next day, Lila took me to the funeral home. In front of other people’s cremation furnaces, there was a crowd of family members weeping and mourning. But in front of my furnace, there was only Lila. She cried all night, and now she couldn’t cry anymore. Only silence remained. The crematorium staff asked her to sign the confirmation form. Her hands trembled, and she couldn’t bring herself to sign. Instead, she picked up her phone again. She texted Matthew, telling him that my body was at the funeral home. But the reply Lila received was just a cold, hard “get lost.” That brief response stung my eyes. Even though I had experienced Matthew’s indifference the day before, at the final moment, I still held onto some hope. I hoped he could believe Lila and come to see me one last time. After all, he was my only son. I watched him grow from a tiny baby into such a formidable man. I had also fantasized about holding his child in my arms, sharing family bliss together. Now I ended up with such a result. Lila turned off her phone screen and resolutely signed her name. “Evelyn, rest in peace.” When the crematorium door closed, my body completely vanished from this world, leaving behind only a handful of ashes. Lila held my ashes, sitting on the steps at the entrance of the funeral home. She sat in a daze for a long time before finally making a call. “Matthew, didn’t you say you wanted a divorce? “Let’s go to court tomorrow.” As she spoke, she affectionately touched the urn in her arms with her forehead. I knew she was asking me if I had seen her fulfill my last wish.   “Lila, what is wrong with you, acting crazy all the time?” Matthew’s impatient voice came through. “When you are done making a scene, go home and cook. I have surgery this afternoon.” Upon hearing this, I watched Lila’s last glimmer of hope fade away. All these years of marriage, her value seemed to be just that of a cook. “I’m not making a scene. Didn’t you say last night that you wanted a divorce? I’ll fulfill your wish. You…” Matthew’s voice turned angry. He interrupted Lila without hesitation. “Are you going to hold a grudge with me because of something I said out of anger? “I didn’t blame you for cursing my mom yet. But you are being unreasonable.” I saw Lila let out a long sigh. “Believe it or not, that’s the truth. You won’t get to see her one last time anyway.” He scoffed, “Why should I believe you? “You are using something so serious as a joke. Don’t you feel guilty? “Lila, you really have no moral bottom line. Why don’t you just become a prostitute?” The call was hung up abruptly. I was both shocked and furious. I couldn’t believe such words came from Matthew. I had always thought their marriage, though not deeply affectionate, was at least harmonious. But in reality, I was wrong. Dead wrong. If I had known they interacted like this regularly, I would never have supported their marriage. Lila was a good girl. She deserved to marry someone better. What surprised me even more was that even after being treated this way by Matthew, Lila didn’t get angry. She calmly walked out of the funeral home, holding my ashes. In an instant, guilt and heartache washed over me. I watched her thin figure as I repeatedly apologized. “Lila, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry!” After that call, Lila took me back home. She stayed at home for three days, waiting for Matthew, hoping to discuss my funeral arrangements with him, but she didn’t even catch a glimpse of him. Left with no choice, she had to invite others to organize a memorial service for me. On the sixth day after my death, the memorial service started. Colleagues from academia, my superiors, teachers, and many doctoral and graduate students I had guided all arrived at the scene. I looked at their red-rimmed eyes and felt pain as well. I hadn’t finished grading my students’ papers, and my newly approved project had just begun to take shape. If only Matthew had come to the hospital that night, perhaps I wouldn’t have lost my students, my career, and my life. As I looked at them, I felt resentment toward Matthew for the first time. Just when everything was proceeding smoothly, there was suddenly a commotion at the entrance. Matthew stormed in with a face full of anger and grabbed Lila, who had been bravely holding the memorial service together. “Lila, I didn’t expect you to be so shameless. “You need to know where to stop with your lies! How could you really joke about my mom’s life!” He yanked at Lila’s collar, his eyes nearly spitting fire. “All these people are my mom’s colleagues and students. What will she do to go back to work or teach after this?” Lila might have been disappointed in Matthew, or perhaps she just didn’t want to ruin my final moments on earth. She tore Matthew’s hand away fiercely and pointed at the urn placed in front of my portrait. With every word, she questioned him, “I’m lying? Evelyn treated me so well. I’d have to be crazy to do so! “Weren’t you busy helping little kittens give birth? Why didn’t you switch careers to be a vet? “How can someone like you, who has no ethics, deserve to be a doctor? You wouldn’t even save your own mother when she was dying! “Just for those few animals, you personally sent your mom to her death!” Her haggard face was stained with tears, and she looked more like someone who had lost a loved one than my own son.   Perhaps Lila spoke so sorrowfully that Matthew seemed to believe her words, looking momentarily flustered. But the next second, as he faced the disapproving gazes of all the mourners, it was as if he suddenly remembered something. He snatched the urn placed in front of my portrait. “You’re talking nonsense! My mom has annual check-ups and has never had any serious health issues! “I’m a heart doctor. No one understands her heart health better than I do. “My mom could never have heart disease. Lila, you must be exposed!” Seeing him lift the urn high, Lila visibly panicked. “Don’t! Matthew. Put down Evelyn’s urn!” He looked at the frightened Lila and scoffed, “Are you scared? It seems like it’s just filled with flour to fool people.” Saying this, he hesitated not at all and slammed the urn to the ground. “No!” Lila was terrified, nearly falling apart. She lunged for the urn but still missed it by a hair. The clay urn shattered upon hitting the ground. The last remnants of my existence were scattered everywhere. Gray-white ashes spilled out, blending into the carpet. The room erupted in chaos. I was an intellectual born into a wealthy family. Growing up, I worked hard and lived a respectable life. I had never imagined that my final fate would be having my own son scatter my remains before all the people I knew. I recalled how proudly I spoke about Matthew in the past and suddenly felt utterly ridiculous. At that moment, even as a spirit, I trembled uncontrollably. Lila knelt on the ground, trembling as she tried to gather my ashes, even if it was in vain. Her tears uncontrollably fell into the white ashes as if crying for me. “You are still pretending? With such good acting skills, why don’t you become an actress?” Seeing Lila’s sorrow only deepened Matthew’s disdain. He raised his foot and stomped on my ashes, also stepping on Lila’s hand. “This is just a pile of flour. You wouldn’t think that because you shed a few tears, I would believe your nonsense, would you?” As he spoke, he pressed hard on Lila’s hand. “Lila, you insulted my mother like this. I’ll make you pay!” Just then, the old dean of the college I had worked at finally arrived, leaning on his cane. Seeing this scene, he angrily struck Matthew with his cane. “You wretched boy, how could you not know your mother has passed away? “And you’re causing a scene at her memorial service!” Seeing the highly respected old dean in the academic world, Matthew finally calmed down. He stared in disbelief at the powder beneath his feet and stood there stunned for a moment before saying, “Sir, have you also been bribed by this bitch?” “Nonsense!” the teaching secretary, who was supporting the dean, frowned. “Two days ago, your wife submitted Prof. Luis’ death certificate to us, or we wouldn’t have organized for students and teachers to come to mourn.” “What? A death certificate?” It wasn’t until that moment that Matthew seemed to wake from a dream. He looked incredulously at the room full of mourners, taking a step back and uncontrollably sitting down. “How could this be?” He lowered his head in disbelief, reaching down to touch the powder still marked with his shoe prints. The difference between ashes and flour was obvious. He couldn’t possibly mistake it. “This is my mom’s ashes? “My mom is dead?”

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On my son Jasper Williams’ birthday, I personally prepared a feast, but my husband Henry Williams was late in bringing him back home. Just as I was about to call and ask, I received a photo from Jasper on his phone watch. “Look, my dad and the gentle Edith match so well. She isn’t a tomboy like you!” That night, they went to the theme park with Edith White and didn’t come back until the next morning. I sat alone at the dining table and finished the food by myself. This time, I decided to give up on my husband and son. ***** “Henry, let’s get a divorce.” I slammed the divorce agreement on the table, my tone icy. Henry, wearing an apron, seemed not to hear me and continued mopping the floor. I repeated myself again. Seeing he ignored me, I snatched the mop from his hands. “I’m talking to you. Are you even listening?” I had enough. Henry and Jasper treated me like air all day long. Henry ripped off his apron and tossed it on the table. “You want to divorce me over this small matter? “Jasper isn’t a robot. He just wanted to eat some fried chicken and have some fun at the amusement park. “I was just fulfilling Jasper’s wish. Is that wrong?” Henry stared at me with disgust as if I were a great sinner. Jasper had been weak since birth. The doctor specifically advised that his diet must be balanced and should not include fried food. He was also prone to bacterial allergies. With so many people at the amusement park, the chances of him getting sick were high. I had a thousand thoughts in my mind, but nothing came out. I realized they were not wrong. I was the one at fault. It was my stupidity to fall in love with Henry and give birth to an ungrateful son. I rubbed my temples. “Just sign the papers.” “Fine, you want a divorce, right? I’ve had enough of being a stay-at-home husband! “In other families, the men are in charge. Why should I be the one trapped in this home?” I couldn’t help but smirk sarcastically. He had once complained about how hard work was, begging me to support him. When I took on the burden of supporting the family alone, he said I looked down on him. Men were truly ungrateful. Jasper seemed to hear our argument and rushed out of the room, hugging Henry. “Dad, I want to be with you.” I maintained a stoic expression, as I had long expected this situation. To manage Jasper’s health, I was always strict with him while Henry played the gentle one. In Jasper’s eyes, Henry was the perfect dad. Hearing Jasper’s words, Henry looked at me with pride. He hugged Jasper and declared loudly, “From now on, I’ll earn money to support Jasper myself.” Henry had been out of work for so many years, not realizing that the job market was completely different now. But I didn’t remind him, just nodded. “Okay.” Hearing I agreed so readily, Henry and Jasper were stunned for a moment. But thinking of the freedom within reach, they soon beamed with joy. Henry quickly signed the divorce agreement. Fourteen years of marriage ended in just a few strokes. I left this house to them. I picked up the divorce agreement and returned to my room to pack my things. It was somewhat amusing. Every item in this home was bought with my money. Yet my personal belongings were so few that they fit into a single suitcase. As I exited with my suitcase, I saw Edith had bought a big bucket of fried chicken for Jasper. Chicken crumbs scattered all over the carpet. Jasper intentionally waved the drumstick in his hand. I pretended not to see and headed for the door with my suitcase. But Jasper shouted, “From now on, Edith will be my mom! You tomboy, after the divorce, surely no one will want you.” Saying this, he threw the bone in his hand at my head. I turned around and smiled at him. Jasper was taken aback. Then, in front of Edith, I stuffed all the fried chicken legs into Jasper’s mouth. “Don’t you love to eat that? Then I’ll let you eat your fill.” Jasper’s mouth was stuffed full, and he whimpered a couple of times before bursting into tears. Henry heard the commotion and rushed out of the kitchen, quickly taking the fried chicken from Jasper’s mouth. Then he glared coldly at me. “Get lost!” In front of him, I smashed everything in the house that could be broken. It was all mine. I wouldn’t let them use it even if I broke it all. I glanced back. The three of them stood closely together, like a family.

I carried my suitcase to the spacious apartment that I had bought earlier. The apartment had been renovated a year ago, and I initially intended to give it to Jasper as it was near the best high school. Now, it turned out to be a saving. I had just laid down, not yet calming my emotions, when I received a call from my stepmother, Tracy Flynn. She said she wanted to bring her son over to stay with me for some time. My mom passed away when I was very young. My dad, being a rough man who couldn’t care for a girl, married Tracy to take care of me. Tracy had a kind personality and got along well with me, almost like a friend. Later, she had a son with my dad named Andy Flynn. I tidied up the house. Before long, Tracy arrived with Andy. Tracy dressed very fashionably and immediately gave me a big hug. “Sweetheart, long time no see.” Andy also greeted me obediently. I nodded and asked Tracy, “Why didn’t my dad come?” She pouted, “Don’t you know? Your dad, that fishing enthusiast, would rather stay by his fishing pond every day.” I chuckled and invited them to sit on the sofa. I had originally planned to get them two bottles of water right away, but then I remembered something and asked Andy, “Andy, do you want some Coke?” He shook his head. “Thank you. But water is fine.” I secretly praised him for being such a health-conscious child. Tracy casually said, “Don’t spoil him. Just drink whatever you have.” I told Tracy about my divorce from Henry. She wholeheartedly agreed. Tracy gulped down some water and burped. “That man is a coward. It’s a good thing. “You have money and no man or child to burden you. Aren’t you thrilled!” Andy looked at Tracy. Tracy smiled sheepishly, “I didn’t mean you burdened me. I was just making an example.” I laughed. I rarely felt such a relaxed atmosphere when I was with Henry and Jasper. Most of the time, they would wear stern faces, listing all the things I did wrong and how I was too controlling. “By the way, Catherine, I need to discuss something with you.” Tracy suddenly sat up, blinking her big eyes at me. Every time she had a favor to ask, it was this way. I rolled my eyes at her. “Go ahead, what is it?” Tracy cleared her throat intentionally. “Andy’s school is holding a parent-child sports day next week, and parents must attend. “You know, I just scored concert tickets a few days ago. What a coincidence, they clash with the sports day.” So, Tracy unhesitatingly chose the concert. I pretended to be in a difficult position. “But that day…” Tracy gritted her teeth and pulled out her newly bought watch from her bag. I quickly took it. “Deal!” She gritted her teeth. “Catherine, you are too calculating!” I lowered my gaze and smiled, “Thank you for the compliment.” We hadn’t chatted for long when Tracy grabbed her bag and headed to leave. I asked, “Aren’t you going to stay overnight?” Tracy smiled sheepishly again. She had already arranged a trip with her good friends. She made up an excuse to borrow my place but actually wanted me to take care of Andy. Tracy vowed, “I’ll treat you to a big meal when I get back!” I knew Andy was well-behaved and obedient, so I agreed. Soon, it was afternoon, and it was time to prepare dinner. To entertain Andy, I decided to cook another meal myself. Just as I picked up the kitchen knife, he took it from me. “Catherine, I can handle it.” I lay back on the sofa, unable to help but sigh. Tracy really taught Andy well. He was sensible and cooperative. On the day of the sports event, I carefully put together an outfit for Andy. Suddenly, a hurried ringtone sounded. It was Henry calling. I glanced quickly and was about to hang up, but the voice assistant connected the call by itself. Henry’s anxious voice came through. “Jasper has a stomach ache. You need to come back and take a look.”

Before I could respond, the voice assistant answered automatically, “Call a doctor. What does that have to do with me?” I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Henry fell silent for a moment. “Catherine, Jasper is your son. How can you be so heartless?” This time, the voice assistant didn’t get a chance to speak before I lazily replied, “Henry, if I remember correctly, we are already divorced. He is your son, not mine. “Besides, doesn’t he have a new mom now? You can go to her.” He seemed to want to say something else, but I immediately hung up and blocked his number. If it weren’t for his call, I would have forgotten about him altogether. Just to be safe, I blocked all his other contact methods as well. Andy dressed himself in a white sports outfit. I nodded approvingly. “You look clean and neat, very good!” When I arrived at Andy’s school, I realized he attended the same school as Jasper. I thought I had not been paying enough attention to Andy. Feeling this, I lightly patted his shoulder in embarrassment. Andy looked at me in confusion. “It’s nothing. Let’s check the bulletin board for the list.” Andy and I arrived at the sports field, and I immediately saw Jasper and Edith not far away. Edith smiled brightly as she held Jasper close, as intimate as if they were mother and son. I turned my gaze away and didn’t look at them anymore. But when Jasper saw us, he stormed over angrily. He pointed at Andy beside me and shouted, “Who is he? My dad called you, and you didn’t come back. Was it because of him?” Tracy hated Henry, so she hadn’t brought Andy to my house. She even said not to bring Henry and Jasper home during the holidays. Therefore, Jasper had never met Andy. I didn’t want to talk to Jasper. I grabbed Andy and started to leave, but Jasper wouldn’t let it go. He had a pale face. “He can’t possibly be your illegitimate child, right? No wonder you divorced my dad. Turns out you have another…” I slapped Jasper. “Jasper, do you have no manners at all?” Jasper glared at me fiercely. “You hit me for this bastard? This bastard can’t compare to me!” He looked Andy up and down several times. “For a weakling like him, how dare he participate in the competition? I’ll make sure you and this bastard lose badly.” After saying that, he dragged Edith away. Edith even turned back to me and smiled provocatively. I glanced at Andy. “How do you do in sports?” He replied, “Okay, I guess.” By the end of the competition, I realized Andy had been too modest. He was clearly an exceptional athlete. I had been working out for years, so Andy and I worked well together and successfully claimed first place. But since Edith ran slowly, Jasper and she ended up in last place. Jasper’s face looked extremely bad, and he ignored Edith when she tried to talk to him. Perhaps it was because of the dopamine released after exercising. I felt exceptionally joyful as if I had never been this happy before. Andy went to the convenience store to buy two bottles of water, but when he turned around, he couldn’t see me and started looking around. I waved at him. “Dear, I’m over here.” But Jasper also ran over. Andy looked at him curiously and handed the water to me. It was then that Jasper realized I had not been calling him. His face turned red with anger. “Not only do you have an illegitimate child, but you also call him dear?” Jasper was breathing heavily, his face turning red and green. I suddenly noticed that his reaction seemed not just due to anger. He was having an allergic reaction. With so many people at the sports day and after sweating, germs had taken advantage of him. Edith was still busy taking selfies with her phone. I kindly reminded her, “Jasper seems to be having an allergic reaction.” Edith glanced over and casually said, “It’s normal for young kids to have a red face after exercising.”   After saying that, she went to another corner to take selfies. This was Jasper’s idea of a “good mom”. I looked at Jasper with some sarcasm and took Andy away. Jasper felt itchy all over. When he saw I was leaving, he panicked. “Hey, aren’t you going to take care of me?” “What does that have to do with me? Go and find your mom.” I ignored him and walked out of the school gate, where I spotted Henry’s car not far away. Seeing me come out, he rolled down the window and looked at me. “Do you want me to give you a ride?” His car was still the one I bought. I pulled Andy along and got into my new car, driving away. After the concert, Tracy, like a runaway horse, went abroad to play. I knew it would be a long time before I could enjoy her promised feast. Andy moved in with me. Every time I came back from work, I was able to enjoy the meals he had prepared. I marveled at the kind of extravagant life Tracy was living. I even thought about letting Andy stay with me permanently. After dinner, I opened my phone, ready to handle some work-related matters. Suddenly, a voice call popped up, labeled “My dearest son”. I wondered if I had ever been that cheesy before. Without thinking, I hung up right away. After blocking Henry last time, I had forgotten to block Jasper. I treated them equally and blocked both of them. Finally, no one could bother me anymore. Andy finished washing the dishes and came out with grapes from the refrigerator. “Did someone just call you?” I bit my finger, staring at the notification just sent in the workgroup, casually answering, “Yeah, harassment call.” He looked puzzled. “But it sounded like a WhatsApp call.” After a while, I finally saw my name on the promotion list sent by the HR department. “Oh yes!” I jumped for joy and hugged Andy. “I got promoted! What do you want to eat? It’s on me!” He washed the grapes in his hands and cautiously said, “Grapes?” I was somewhat speechless. “Can’t you have some ambition?” “Then ten portions of grapes.” I gave up trying to ask Andy what he wanted. I opened my phone and made a reservation at a high-end restaurant days later. When Henry couldn’t reach me on the phone, he blocked my way on my way to the office. He gritted his teeth. “Catherine, you are too ruthless! You blocked all my contact methods. That’s impressive.” “Should I keep you in my contacts to annoy me?” I rolled my eyes at him and walked ahead. I still had to go to work. I cursed Henry under my breath for wasting my time and affecting my ability to earn money. But Henry didn’t notice my impatience at all. He followed me. “Jasper’s class is scheduled for an outdoor study next week, and it requires 50 thousand dollars.” I crossed my arms and scoffed, “Fifty thousand dollars? So what?” He rubbed his nose. “Did you think after our divorce, you’d be free of responsibilities? Legally, you have to pay for Andy’s support! “And to you, that’s just pocket change.” I shot back, “Didn’t you say you were going to make your own money?” Henry argued confidently, “Well, I need some time to adapt. Why do you react so strongly when it comes to money? As if I am always spending yours.” I opened my phone and scrolled through the bills. “You want to talk about money? Do you want me to calculate how much I’ve spent over the years?” Perhaps feeling guilty, Henry changed the subject. “You only know money. Edith is nothing like a vulgar woman like you.” I smiled faintly, “Is that so? Why don’t you take a look behind you?” “If you don’t want to give me money, just say so. What are you playing at?” Henry frowned and turned to look behind. Edith was leaning against the wall not far away, smoking and on the phone. She had a sinister smile on her face, different from her usual gentleness. “Let’s change our target. Henry is just a man who lives off women.”

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