Author: Momo Chan

My best friend, Ava Gibson, was a mistress dissuasion expert. I lent her money to open a studio, but her first business deal was to discourage me from continuing with my husband. “Scarlett Walker, what’s the point of a loveless marriage? You’ve already wasted five years of Samuel Wright’s time. Do you still want to pester him and make him feel disgusted by you for the rest of his life?” she said. I was so amused by her nonsense that I asked the security guard to kick her out of my office. However, she brought the so-called “Anti-Mistress Alliance” to protest me while live streaming. “The one who is not loved is the mistress! Defend freedom of love!” They shouted slogans and smashed my company. I watched them calmly until they were tired of messing around. Then, I took out the IOU and declared to Ava, “The one million dollars you borrowed from me has been overdue for half a year. If you don’t pay it back, I will sue you. “In addition, the scientific research equipment you just smashed is worth 37 million dollars. Please compensate for the original price. “Otherwise, see you in court!” ***** During lunch break, Ava came to my company. “Scarlett, I have something to discuss with you about my work.” She sat upright with a serious expression. I understood what she came here for and directly picked up the phone. “How much money do you need this time?” Ava majored in psychology. Since it was hard to find a job after graduation, she decided to start her own business. I was not short of money but understood the hardships of starting a business. Whenever she asked for my help, I would give her money. After all, she was my only friend. Ava flushed awkwardly. “No, I’m not asking you to borrow me money.” I was slightly startled and asked, “Then, what do you want?” My work and hers had nothing in common. Apart from borrowing money, I really wondered what other work-related matters she wanted to discuss with me. Taking a deep breath, she finally made up her mind and said, “Scarlett, you know I’m a mistress dissuading expert. I received a commission a few days ago, which is… To persuade you to stop interrupting others’ relationships.” I was stunned and couldn’t believe what I had just heard. I got married to Samuel as soon as we graduated from college, and both our parents and friends knew each other very well. I was pretty sure I was not his mistress. How could she possibly receive the commission against me? “Wait, what? Samuel and I have been married for three years. How could I end up becoming his mistress?” I said. Ava stared at me and looked more and more stern. “Scarlett, although you are Samuel’s legal wife, it is now obvious that he has had an affair. Why don’t you give up confining him to you?” I looked at her in disbelief. “So, you are entrusted by Samuel’s mistress to persuade me, the original wife, to divorce him?” As a mistress dissuasion expert, Ava should convince those women who were ruining other’s families to quit, but she actually persuaded me, Samuel’s legal wife, to give my husband to his mistress. This was the first time I questioned Ava’s decency. Ava looked calm and nodded. Then, she said righteously, “Scarlett, don’t get me wrong. If it happened to someone else, I wouldn’t have accepted this mission. But you’re my friend, I can’t let you get stuck in this.” I was so confused that I reached for my phone. “Let me ask Samuel first.” I didn’t believe that Samuel, that dull but righteous guy, would cheat on his wife. He worked in my research institute, and the only place he went after work was our home. I really couldn’t believe he cheated on me. However, Ava stopped me and said, “Scarlett, will a man admit to cheating on you? What’s the point of asking him?” I frowned. “What do you mean?” “Divorce him!” Ava said firmly, “What else can you say to a bastard like this!” I looked at her anxious face and asked after a moment of silence, “Tell me who his mistress is.” Ava decisively refused. “No, I have to keep it confidential for my client.” I laughed at her angrily. “You neither told me who his mistress was, nor let me confirm it with Samuel. ​The only thing you want me to do is to divorce him without any virtual evidence. How can I believe you?” Ava nodded as a matter of course. “But I am your only friend. I won’t hurt you.” I looked at her, and my heart sank. In the past, whenever Ava brought up that she was my only friend as an excuse, I would always agree to her request unconditionally. But this was not a reason for her to force me to divorce. After a moment, I shook my head. “No, I can’t do it.” Ava stared at me with a hint of threat. “Scarlett, I have many ways to make you divorce voluntarily without any property divided, but I don’t want to use those against you, do you understand?” I know Ava’s methods. She would find a man to seduce those mistresses and get some sensitive pictures or videos as evidence to force them to cut off with those married men. I really didn’t expect that she would plot against me with those means.

I looked at my old friend and felt extremely disappointed. If she came here only to inform me that Samuel cheated on me, I would believe she did that out of kindness. But as she forced me to divorce without allowing me to verify the facts and even threatened me with her dirty means, I had to doubt her real intentions. I couldn’t help but recall that when Samuel and I began to date, Ava always complained about him. She believed that Samuel buying me breakfast was his gaslighting skill. When Samuel bought me expensive gifts, she said he was using money to seduce me while calling me a gold digger with his pals. Even when Samuel proposed to me, she pointed out countless mistakes on the spot. I recalled in silence and became more and more severe. Seeing me in silence, Ava seemed confident in succeeding. She stood up and grabbed my wrist. “Let’s go. I can just go home with you to get the documents, and you call Samuel to divorce.” I came to my senses and shook off her hand. “No, I can’t divorce him just based on your one-sided words.” She looked at me in surprise, never expecting me to reject her again. “Scarlett! I’m doing this for your own good!” Her voice suddenly rose. “Samuel has cheated on you and doesn’t love you anymore! Why are you still clinging to him?” Her face distorted like the fierce beast that I had ever seen. She looked so strange to me now. Compared to Ava, who lost her temper, I couldn’t help but feel partial to my husband who said “I love you” dozens of times this morning. “You must listen to me! Divorce Samuel now!” Ava yelled and grabbed me again. I had been spending all year in the laboratory and couldn’t compete with Ava in terms of strength. I couldn’t get rid of her grip. However, I just asked for my assistant, Charlie Evans. Charlie rushed into my office and pulled Ava away. “Scarlett! You actually let him touch me?” Ava looked insane and stared at me like a devil. I rubbed my wrist that was hurt by her grip and said seriously, “I don’t need you to make decisions about my family affairs. I have other things to do at the company. Goodbye” After saying that, I gestured to Charlie to take her away. She stared at me angrily and sneered. “Okay, Scarlett, don’t blame me if anything happens to you!” I thought she was just threatening. After all, we had been friends for so many years, and even if she was mad at me for a now, it was unlikely for her to really turn against me. It turned out that I overestimated my friendship with her. I also underestimated her bottom line. Taking a sip of water, Charlie brought me bad news when I was thinking about how to question Samuel. “Ms. Walker! Ms. Gibson came back with some…” Charlie looked embarrassed and hesitated to continue. I frowned. “What did she bring here?” “They held up a banner and called themselves…” Charlie said, “Anti-mistress alliance.” I spat out a mouthful of water on the table and was extremely stunned. “They were downstairs, holding banners and shouting with loud speakers in a live stream…” Charlie reported to me, placing an iPad in front of me. In the live stream, Ava was in the center of the crowd, followed by a bunch of burly men. They held up a banner of the Anti-Mistress Alliance and even got my company’s logo on the camera. “The president of the Walker Pharmaceutical Company, Scarlett, took a girl’s boyfriend!” she shouted. In the camera, Ava looked indignant and sad, but he spoke coherently, and each word of her words hit the nail. “I am a mistress dissuading expert and also a good friend of Scarlett. However, I learned from one of my clients that she seduced her boyfriend! “Although I am her best friend, I absolutely cannot tolerate such immoral behavior. This is the basic quality of a psychiatrist! “Just now, I tried to persuade Scarlett to leave that man… But she asked her secretary to throw me out and refused to listen to me.” The live stream turned exuberant with more than ten thousand viewers, and the number of audience was still rising. Netizen A: [Is it the city’s signature enterprise, the Walker Pharmaceutical Company?] Netizen B: [Isn’t this company devoted to charity? Why do they have a bitch boss?] Netizen C: [I told you a woman could never be a manager. She must sleep with her bosses to gain her position.] Netizen D: [Shameless mistress! Boycott the Walker Pharmaceutical Company!] Looking at the surging comments, I felt annoyed. Ava was really my good friend. She knew very well how to hurt me. My company was going public soon, so we cannot afford any negative news. If the listing failed because of this shit, it would be more severe for me to make it up!

In the live stream, Ava suddenly wiped the corners of his eyes and changed the subject. “Scarlett, I know you still love him, but please think about those people you hurt. You broke up their happiness. It’s really not cool to do this. Everyone makes mistakes. As long as you correct them in time, I believe everyone will forgive you.” She said that with tears, looking like a saint who was thinking about me wholeheartedly and trying to persuade me to turn back to the right path. I couldn’t help but sneer as I listened to her nonsense. She was smart that she told the netizens she was here to persuade a man’s legal wife to divorce her husband. Hearing her words, anyone would be convinced that I was the mistress. Moreover, she kept saying that she exposed this matter under her real name, so why didn’t she mention her own name at all? Netizen A: [stop trying. She is a bitch, and it’s useless to make her regretful only by talking!] Netizen B: [Just go in and smash her company.] Netizen C: [That’s right! Destroy her company so that she will know the consequences of ruining people’s relationships!] Countless online judges in the comments were supporting her. Ava’s eyes lit up, and she said immediately, “Okay! The anti-mistress alliance will enforce justice today!” After saying that, she waved at those robust men and rampaged into my company. “Ms. Walker, what should we do?” Charlie was a young girl who had just graduated. She had never seen such a mess and was a little panicked. I responded calmly, “Send a message in the company group and inform everyone to leave through the safe passage. Every employee gets paid leave today. Tell them to run away as far as possible in case they get hurt.” “Also, don’t let any of them post anything online. I will handle this,” I added. She immediately nodded and carried out my order. I continued staring at the live stream. The strong men Ava brought with her were really good at looting and smashing things. They kicked open the gate and swarmed into my company like gangs. They smashed everything they saw, and even the plant next to the elevator was also ruined. Fortunately, they didn’t see the employees. Netizen A: [Why isn’t anyone here working? The Walker Pharmaceutical Company must be a briefcase company!] Netizen B: [Just destroy everything here! Make that bitch lose her job!] Netizen C: [Smash those expensive equipment! No, stop kicking that plant! Choose their computers!] Perhaps encouraged by the comments, those people went crazy and smashed several computers at workstations. They even approached the laboratory. Ava said to the camera, “I know this is the safest place in the entire company. Scarlett must be hiding here!” She insisted on saying that even though she knew exactly I was in my office. So, she was here to destroy my lab. Netizen A: [Open that door and kill that bitch!] Netizen B: [That’s what you get as a mistress, Scarlett!] Netizen C: [Kill that bitch! Kill that bitch!] The netizens were celebrating, and the number of viewers had soared to over a hundred thousand. I watched them violently break into the laboratory and smash those expensive equipment. Fortunately, the laboratory moved to a new location the day before yesterday, and there were only two instruments that had not been moved away in time; plus, there was no data in them. I calculated the losses in my mind and estimated that it was enough for these thugs to be imprisoned, so I stood up and walked out of the office. “What are you doing? That’s a pharmaceutical laboratory! The equipment inside is worth tens of millions. Put that down!” I tried to stop them from committing the crime in a hurry. “Scarlett, you finally came out,” she said. Ava turned the camera towards me with a smug look on his face but pleaded to me humbly, “Don’t be mad at me, I’m doing this for your own good. Since I can’t stop you by myself, I can only call on the netizens to save you before you make bigger mistakes!” I looked at the messy laboratory and the burly men with bulging pockets with a frown and said, “You are maliciously damaging my property, and I suspect you are stealing something from my lab.” “Scarlett! Stop changing the topic!” Ava looked disappointed. “Don’t you understand that you are doing something immoral by interfering in other people’s relationships?” I stared at her and clarified, “You mean that I interfere in my legal husband’s relationship with another girl?”

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Hannah Hutchinson spared no expense for our grand wedding. But on our wedding night, she left me alone to comfort her ex, Gerald Higgins, who was supposedly battling severe depression. I grabbed a chainsaw, tore down his door, and demanded a divorce. Gerald, with teary eyes and a knife to his own throat, said, “I’ll give Nana back to you. My life’s worthless anyway. Not as important as your peace of mind.” Hannah, heartbroken and furious, warned me, “If Gerald ends up taking his own life because of you, I’ll make sure you join him!” Later, when she caught me fooling around with her best friend, her eyes were red with despair as she begged, “Nathan, if you break up with her, I can pretend this never happened, and we can start over and live our life together.” I shot back, “No can do. She’ll threaten suicide if I don’t see her. With your saintly compassion, you wouldn’t want to be the reason she dies, right?” ***** Hannah was nestled in Gerald’s arms when I stood outside Gerald’s door with a chainsaw, still wearing my groom’s boutonniere. Just hours earlier, we had hosted a grand wedding that everyone envied. But the moment Gerald faked a suicide attempt, she left me on our wedding night to be with him, ignoring my calls altogether. “Gerald’s ‘severe depression’ is a sham. Can you come home with me now?” I forced myself to stay calm, turned off the chainsaw, and shoved my phone in Hannah’s face. In the video, the so-called psychiatrist confessed that she was just an actress Gerald hired. The antidepressants she prescribed? Nothing but vitamin pills. The evidence was undeniable. Yet Hannah barely glanced at it before accusing me of smearing her beloved. “Nathan Richardson, just because you’re jealous doesn’t mean you can twist Gerald’s condition into something it’s not.” I felt a sharp sting in my nose, barely able to hold back the tears. “Do you even remember that tonight is our wedding night?” “I know you are upset,” Hannah sighed. “But Gerald has severe depression. He loves me, and without me by his side, he might kill himself. You wouldn’t just let me stand by and let that happen, would you?” She stood up and reached out to take my hand. But Gerald frowned and said, “Nana, if you touch him, I’ll feel disgusted. It makes me uncomfortable.” “Alright, alright, you little jealous thing. I won’t touch him. Happy now?” Hannah pulled her hand back without hesitation and settled beside Gerald again, lovingly tapping the tip of his nose. Gerald said, “When I’m not around, you’re not allowed to kiss him and definitely not sleep with him. The thought makes me sick.” Hannah replied, “Okay, okay, whatever you say.” Watching them flirt, I felt my heart sink deeper and deeper. Growing up, I was the most popular guy at school, and I got so many love letters that they could fill a trash can. But I had no parents, no family, and those childish crushes only annoyed me. I focused on getting higher grades for scholarships and figuring out how many plastic bottles I’d need to sell to cover my living expenses. When Hannah blushed and confessed her feelings to me, I didn’t even look up before turning her down. But then some jealous classmates decided they’d ruin my face and go as far as to castrate me. Pinned to the ground, I was helpless. Until Hannah called the police and rushed over to buy me some time, she ended up with several broken ribs and a fractured leg, spending over three months in the hospital. For the first time since my parents died, I felt a surge of love so powerful it overwhelmed me. The day I agreed to be Hannah’s boyfriend, she blushed and jumped in excitement for hours. We loved each other for ten years, and after a long struggle, her family gave us their blessing. I thought our hardships were behind us. But then her beloved ex got divorced and came back into her life, and suddenly, I became the third wheel. I put my phone away and looked up, forcing the tears back. “Hannah, we are getting a divorce.” Gerald stared at me in disbelief. “Man, are you divorcing Nana now just to make everyone think I’m the one who ruined your marriage? You want them to hate me?” His face flushed with anger as he pushed Hannah aside, got out of bed, and yanked open a drawer. He grabbed a fruit knife and held it against his throat. “I’ll end myself right now. I’ll give Nana back to you. Is that what you want?” Hannah rushed over, snatched the knife from his hand, and angrily threw it at me. “Enough, Nathan! If anything happens to Gerald, I swear you’ll be the one to pay!” I wasn’t quick enough to dodge. The blade grazed my neck, leaving a long, thin cut. Blood dripped steadily onto the floor. How strange. My neck was injured, but it was my heart that hurt so much more. Hannah panicked and hurried over, reaching out to check my wound. “Nathan, are you okay? I didn’t mean to, I…” “Smack!” I stared at her coldly as I delivered a hard slap across her face. “Hannah, we’re done.”

Hannah’s lips trembled as if she wanted to say something. But the moment Gerald mentioned he was in pain, she forgot all about me and focused entirely on coaxing him. Wearing bloodstained clothes, I headed to the hospital alone to get my wound treated. Well, not entirely alone. On the way, I ran into Shirley, who insisted on accompanying me. Shirley said, “Even though Nana’s my best friend, I can’t stand by and watch this. How could she be so rough with you? If you were my husband, I’d cherish you like a treasure. How could she cheat on you repeatedly and even hurt you for the sake of her lover?” The Spencer family was one of the top elites, and people often said Shirley had a bad temper and a sharp tongue. Even stray dogs weren’t safe from a kick when she was upset. But while everyone in Hannah’s circle looked down on me, Shirley was the only one who treated me kindly. I stopped in my tracks. “Cheat on me repeatedly?” Shirley looked conflicted. “I don’t want to speak ill of a friend behind her back, but I can’t keep this from you. Those times when Nana went on business trips abroad, missed your birthdays, and didn’t care when you were sick, she was actually with Gerald.” I had thought Hannah only started straying a month ago when Gerald returned. Turned out she had been cheating all along, just putting on a convincing act for me. “Are you okay?” Shirley gently took my hand, then quickly let go, blushing. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to overstep. It’s just that Nana has gone too far, and I’m really worried about you.” “If anything, I’m happy that you care about me.” I wasn’t naive. I could see that Shirley had feelings for me. I had always kept my distance in the past, but this time, I hesitated only momentarily before I reached for her hand, letting my fingers brush against her palm. Shirley bit her lip and looked at me with a blush, her eyes filled with affection. It was the first time I had ever flirted with someone else, and it made me feel guilty. Nervously, I avoided her gaze. After getting my wound treated, I returned to Hannah’s and my home to pack my things. Shirley was thoughtful, dropping me off at my doorstep before heading out. But before she left, she offered a sincere apology. “Nana’s never been one to consider others’ feelings like I do. If you’re ever upset, need someone to talk to, or need any help, you can always reach out to me.” After packing my bags, I took off my wedding ring, printed the divorce papers, signed them, and left them on the table. With my suitcase in hand, I walked out the door. The housekeeper tried to stop me, but I was determined. She quickly called Hannah, but it was clear Hannah didn’t take it seriously at all. To her, I was just an orphan, and she belonged to a powerful family. She was convinced I’d never really leave her. Hannah even had my job at the company put on hold. A major contract that I had worked hard to secure was handed over to Gerald with just one word from her. She only sent me a dismissive message: [You’re too talented, and that’s putting pressure on Gerald. So, I’ve paused your work for now. Be good, and I promise you can still stay as my husband. That way, even if you are an orphan, you’ll always have a home.] I wanted a home, but not at the expense of being tied to someone like her. I planned to wait until Hannah signed the divorce papers, and then we’d be done for good. She could spend her time with whoever she wanted after that. But instead of signing, her friends started spilling details about her and Gerald in the group chat. She had donated thirty million dollars in his name, praying for his well-being. She splurged on several limited-edition luxury cars for him, making headlines in the local news. She even stayed up all night handcrafting a diamond ring for him because he was jealous of the thoughtful wedding band I had. I was disgusted beyond belief and went to confront Hannah, only to be told by her assistant that she was on a business trip. I called Hannah, and she sighed helplessly, “I used to love Gerald, but that was long ago. Now I just feel sorry for him. You don’t have to be jealous of him, let alone divorce me over it. Didn’t you always want to donate to the orphanage where you grew up? Well, I’ve just sent them 200 thousand dollars. So, why don’t you just calm down?” Hannah then mentioned she had to get back to her meeting and abruptly hung up the call. But the next moment, Gerald sent me a picture of Hannah bathing in the hotel bathroom with a message: [I asked Nana who she liked better. She said I’m bigger and that she’d rather die beneath me.] Even though I knew Hannah had already crossed the line, seeing that photo left my mind blank. I took a few moments to collect myself, then took a screenshot of our chat, sent it to all our mutual friends, and posted it on my Instagram. If Hannah wanted to play the infidelity game, then fine. I’d give her a taste of her own medicine. Shirley showed up quickly, and it seemed like she had dressed up a bit. She looked even more stunning with her full curves, slim waist, and long legs. After showering, she asked me, “Are you sure meeting here is a good idea? What if Nana catches us and gets the wrong idea?” I said, “It wouldn’t be a misunderstanding if we actually do it.” I pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her waist as I leaned in to kiss her. Flirting with her came naturally, but when we got naked, the size difference between us gave me pause. I was worried she wouldn’t be able to take it. I let go of her waist and sat on the bed, ready to call it off. But Shirley came over and chuckled as she pushed me back onto the bed and straddled me. “So, Nathan likes it this way, huh?”

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My father, Dylan Moore, was a mess at my graduation party, drunk out of his mind and threatening to burn my acceptance letter. “Any school that isn’t one of the top-tier in the country is trash! Victoria doesn’t have to go!” Dylan shouted, his words slurred and wild. Panic surged through me as I rushed to intervene. But my mother, Belinda Moore, held me back, her voice a mix of frustration and resignation. “You need to give him some respect at the table. Just retake the exam next year; it’s not the end of the world.” Three years of hard work, dedication, and sleepless nights were all about to go up in flames. After that night, I repeated my senior year, only to find Dylan drowning his sorrows in alcohol every evening. I barely muttered a complaint one night, and it was enough to send him into a drunken rage. I ended up on the receiving end of one of his wild punches, and just like that, everything went dark. I was dead. When I opened my eyes again, it was the day of my graduation party once more. This time, I had a plan. I swapped my acceptance letter with a promissory note that his boss had entrusted him to keep safe. I thought with a smirk, “Go ahead, burn it. Let’s see how you handle the fallout when those debts go up in flames.” ***** When Dylan got drunk, he couldn’t hold his tongue. Some things he’d never say sober came spilling out with the alcohol. At my graduation party, my uncle Logan Moore praised my hard work and dedication, saying I’d surely have a bright future ahead. But Dylan slammed his hand on the table, cutting him off. “What the hell are you talking about, Logan? Victoria is just a girl! That school she got into? It’s a joke! If it’s not one of the top two schools in the country, it’s worthless! “Honestly, I’d rather she drop out of high school and sell herself than waste money sending her to that pathetic excuse for a university! It’s just a money pit, and it’s gonna cost me how much?” I opened my eyes to see Dylan’s red face, his fists pounding the table. I realized I had been given a second chance. Only he could say something as twisted as wanting his own daughter to sell herself. Logan noticed my pale face and elbowed Dylan. “Dylan, you’ve had too much to drink. Maybe ease up a bit?” Dylan retorted, “Who’s had too much? “You’re the one who’s three sheets to the wind! I’m as clear-headed as they come! Want me to count it out for you?” In his mind, one could say he was drunk, but never that he had too much. Thank goodness Logan was the one saying it. I’d tried the same approach in my past life. Dylan’d gotten so furious that he slapped me across the face and dumped a whole platter of food on my lap. “Adults are talking here! What do you know, kid?” The scalding hot soup left me with second-degree burns on one side of my body, and I spent the entire summer nursing ugly scars. Afterward, all he said was. “You can’t blame me! You knew I was drunk and still pushed my buttons. You had it coming!” This time, I learned my lesson. I sat quietly to the side, keeping my mouth shut. Let him drink himself into a stupor; it was his life to ruin. But even that didn’t save me from the chaos. The more Dylan drank, the more he rambled. “Honestly, I know exactly what Victoria’s worth. She’s just a bookworm. Going to college? That’s gonna set me back five thousand a year, four years… that’s what, a fortune? “How many bottles of booze do I have to skip to pay for that?” He slammed his hand on the table, raising his glass as if to douse me with it. Luckily, Logan caught his arm just in time. Meanwhile, my drama-loving aunt Fiona Moore chimed in, “Oh come on, Dylan, aren’t you just trying to play the victim here?” Her teasing expression hit a nerve with Dylan. “What do you mean? You think I’m joking around?” Fiona waved her hand dismissively. “I’m not saying that. But come on, you’re making college sound worthless. When school starts, Victoria’s still going, right? “My son hasn’t even gotten in yet!” Her words pushed Dylan over the edge. “Are you looking down on me? I said she’s not going to college, then I’ll make sure she never sets foot in one!” Fiona recoiled in surprise but quickly retorted, “Oh please! Anyone can say that! If you really mean it, why don’t you just burn her acceptance letter?” Dylan downed another drink, brimming with bravado. “Burn it? Sure!” Logan looked terrified, the alcohol draining from his face as he hurried to calm Dylan down. “Alright, alright, this isn’t something to joke about, Dylan. Don’t go losing it!” Most of the relatives at the table brushed it off as drunken ramblings, thinking it was just the booze talking. But I knew better. The scene felt all too familiar. I quietly slipped away from my seat, carefully stowing my acceptance letter under my bed. Meanwhile, Logan had been making pleasantries for a while, but Dylan, egged on by his drunken spirits, was relentless. “What’s wrong with burning her acceptance letter? I’m her dad! I can burn whatever I want. Not burning her is already considerate of me!” Looking at the empty envelope, I hatched a plan. I placed the IOU from his loan shark boss, whom he had agreed to safeguard earlier, inside. The total was over 1.7 million dollars. If this were to be burned, Dylan would probably get the worst treatment from his ruthless boss, Abbott Cross, too. Perfect. When I returned to the table, Dylan was flushed with anger, pointing at me and cursing, “That worthless daughter of mine. Why waste my money on her education? Don’t stop me; I’m burning those letters today!” There was nothing Logan could do but have Belinda try to calm him down. But Belinda shrugged. “So what if he burns it? It’s just a small issue. Victoria can just retake the exam next year. “It’s rare for the family to gather like this. Dylan’s had a good time today. What’s wrong with a little excitement from burning a letter?”

Logan was utterly baffled. “Belinda, what are you talking about? That’s your own daughter! She’s worked her tail off for three years just to get to this point!” His forehead was bulging with veins. Clearly, Logan was furious. But Belinda remained unfazed. “I’m just a woman; what’s my opinion worth? “Burning it is better. That way, I can use the money to buy Dylan more booze, right?” As she spoke, she handed Dylan a lighter and turned to grab the envelope that held my acceptance letter. This was Belinda’s usual tactic—letting things spiral out of control, just to watch Dylan regret it later when he sobered up. Before, Dylan had spiraled into alcoholism, and Belinda did nothing to stop him or leave. He drank, so she bought the booze, leaving us with nothing, even for groceries. She didn’t care about Dylan’s fate or mine, for that matter. My monthly allowance was measly, leaving me so hungry I could’ve chewed on grass. It was Logan who secretly helped me out every month, keeping me afloat through high school. Seeing Belinda act even more recklessly than Dylan sent Logan into a rage. “Belinda, what the hell? Victoria is just one step away from college, and you want to throw a tantrum now? “Dylan, you too! Just drink your damn booze. Anyone who brings up burning that acceptance letter is asking for trouble!” Dylan’s expression soured, but he only dared to sulk with his drink, while Fiona stopped fanning the flames. Logan’s massive hands slapped the table until it turned red. I felt a lump in my throat, more convinced than ever that Logan was my saving grace. For a moment, everything seemed calm. But then Belinda had to throw another bombshell. “Oh, why are you shouting? Look at you, making Dylan feel embarrassed; he can’t even enjoy his drink now. “A real man keeps his word! My Dylan isn’t spouting drunken nonsense; if he says to burn it, then burn it! “Victoria, I taught you to give men their due respect at the table. Go get that acceptance letter!” She glared at me, her voice devoid of any warmth. This time, I didn’t cry or argue. I simply trembled and said, “Mom, I’m your daughter…” Without hesitation, she stormed into the room, returning with the envelope. Seizing the moment while everyone was distracted, she grabbed a bottle of liquor from the table and drenched the letter before handing it to Dylan. “Here, Dylan. This is your ticket to tens of thousands of dollars worth of booze. Don’t let me down!” I stood frozen, staring at Belinda’s resolute face, which screamed that she cared for neither Dylan nor me. “Stop this nonsense! Belinda, put the letter down!” Logan shouted, kicking over a chair as he lunged to grab it from her. I wanted to intervene, but he was too quick, and soon they were locked in a struggle. “Dylan, what’s the matter? You scared to burn it because your brother is getting involved?” Belinda taunted, her voice sharp. Dylan, already seething, was further provoked by her words. With a loud crash, he snatched a bottle from the table and smashed it over Logan’s head. “Logan! This is my family business; it’s none of your damn concern!” Glass shattered everywhere, and Logan clutched his head, moaning as blood pooled around him. Everyone rushed to check on Logan, but Dylan quietly picked up the lighter and set the envelope ablaze. The flames roared to life, fueled by the alcohol, turning the white paper to ash in an instant. Logan grimaced in pain. “No! Don’t!” Under the flickering light, Dylan’s face was flushed with triumph as he laughed. “See that? I’m the head of this household! That worthless university? I said Victoria isn’t going, and she won’t ever set foot in it!” With that, he threw his head back and passed out. Logan clutched his head and let out a frustrated roar, charging toward the fireball, desperate to extinguish it with his bare hands. I grabbed his arm, trying to pull him back. “Uncle Logan, just let it go!” His eyes were bloodshot. “Let it go? How can I let this go? How many years of high school do you have to throw it all away like this!” The flames flickered beneath his hands, but they refused to die down. “Damn it!” Logan cried out in despair before collapsing, unconscious. I called an ambulance, ready to get him to the hospital, but Belinda blocked my way. “Logan’s fine; it’s just a scratch! Your dad’s drunk. Why don’t you stay and help me take care of him?” With a steely expression, I pushed past her. She yelled after me, “You little ingrate! You’re my daughter! If you walk out that door today, don’t even think about coming back!” I retorted coldly, “Oh, so you remember I’m your daughter now?” Just then, the drunken Dylan on the floor slurred, “Good! Get out of here! I don’t want you around anyway!” Belinda pointed at the charred remains of my acceptance letter, her face twisted with rage. “Victoria, this isn’t my fault! You’re the unlucky one for having a dad like this; I’m even worse off!” I didn’t bother to engage with her. Turning my back, I discreetly pocketed my acceptance letter and boarded the ambulance. Before leaving, I glanced back at the ashes being scattered by the wind and scoffed. “This time, it’s not just us who are unlucky!” Despite her constant complaints about Dylan, Belinda was now bent over, cleaning up his vomit, completely oblivious to my words. I couldn’t help but smirk to myself, thinking, “Ridiculous. She complains about him, but isn’t she still taking care of him here? From now on, I’m done dealing with their drama.”

In the hospital, Logan was in rough shape. That liquor bottle Dylan smashed over his head had left him with a mild concussion and several stitches in the back. I sat by his bedside all night, keeping vigil until he finally woke up the next morning. The night had been a blur of stitches and IV drips, but Logan, ever the stoic, kept quiet, not wanting me to worry. I hadn’t closed my eyes at all, while the real culprit, Dylan, was at home sleeping like a baby. It wasn’t until Logan stirred that Dylan finally called. “Hey, man, sorry about last night! I was totally out of it. My bad, my bad! I’ll bring over a couple of bottles next time to make it up to you!” Dylan said, brushing it off as if it were nothing. Logan grunted, barely suppressing his anger. “What’s that supposed to mean? You know I was drunk, and you’re still gonna hold it against me? You’re being way too sensitive!” Dylan shot back, as if it was all just a joke. That was Dylan. Whenever he got plastered, he’d blame it all on the booze. Even in his past, when he drunkenly beat me to death, he told the cops, “I was wasted! She just had to provoke me. How could that be my fault?” And now Logan was just injured, not dead. “Logan, let’s get real here. You messed up last night, too. I was in a bad place, so why did you have to stick your nose in my family’s business? “Alright, how about this? We’ll split the cost of that good wine, and once you’re out of here, we’ll celebrate,” Dylan said, completely missing the point. Logan couldn’t help but let out a sarcastic laugh. He thought, “So you’re saying I’m the one who should take responsibility for the seventeen stitches in my head?” “Do you even remember what you did last night?” Logan pressed. “Me? I just heard Belinda say I accidentally hit you…” Dylan trailed off, clearly still hazy from the booze. Logan’s voice turned sharp. “You idiot! It’s not just about me getting hit! You burned your own daughter’s acceptance letter! You’ve ruined her future! What kind of father does that? “I told you drinking messes things up! Why can’t you just listen for once?” His outburst startled the nurse changing his bandages. But on the other end of the line, Dylan just sighed, “Come on, man, you really think I was that drunk last night? “Honestly, I wanted to burn that acceptance letter ages ago. “What’s a girl like her even doing going to college? Better to just get rid of it, right?” He chuckled, as if it were all a big joke. Dylan continued, “So, what do you think? Did I act the part well? Saved myself a ton on booze, and even managed to fool Belinda…” It turned out he wasn’t drunk at all. He was just using the pretense of a drunken rant to sabotage my college dreams personally. “Seriously? You think this is funny?” Logan shouted, nearly throwing his phone against the wall. My eyes, heavy from sleeplessness, began to sting with tears. But Dylan, still smug, said, “Why are you so worked up? Sure, I was out of line, but it’s not my fault you insisted on defending Victoria. “That girl’s got no value; you’re the only one who treats her like a treasure. How dumb can you be? “If I hadn’t been drunk back then, and if Belinda hadn’t thrown a fit about not getting an abortion, I wouldn’t have ended up with a kid like her! “By the way, where’s that little brat now…” Before he could finish, Logan caught sight of my red-rimmed eyes and abruptly hung up. The busy signal echoed in the hospital room. Logan said, his fist slamming down on the hospital bed, “Victoria, thanks for staying with me all night. That really means a lot… “I’m sorry. I couldn’t save your acceptance letter, and I couldn’t fix your dad… I truly am sorry!” The tough guy, who had been silent all night, suddenly choked up. I patted his shoulder gently. “Uncle Logan, this isn’t on you. My parents have been like this forever; I’ve gotten used to it. “And don’t thank me. You’ve always been there for me; it’s just what I should do.” Logan had served eight years in the military before returning home to start his own business, and now he was all alone. Among all our relatives, he had always treated me the best. If it hadn’t been for him being out of town in my past life, I wouldn’t have died at Dylan’s hands. I thought to myself that I owed him more than I could ever repay. Logan pondered for a moment before asking, “So, what’s your plan now?” “Of course, I’m going back to college,” I replied. “Great! I got your back. I’ll help you get into the best school, as far away from that drunken dad of yours as possible!” A flicker of hope ignited in his eyes. I waved my hand dismissively. “Uncle Logan, I’m not going to repeat a year.” His face fell. “Not repeat? How can that be? Victoria, don’t lose hope! I believe in you…” Seeing my smile, he panicked. “Victoria, are you out of your mind?” Then, in the midst of his shock, I pulled out my acceptance letter, which was perfectly intact. “I got into my dream school. There’s no need to repeat.” He froze, taken aback. But before he could even let out a laugh, Dylan’s call came through again. This time, he sounded frantic. “Logan, where’s that little brat? Is she with you? Get her on the phone! Damn it, does she want me dead or what?”

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My girlfriend, Katrina Moritz, was in heavy debt after the bankruptcy. To pay back the money, she and I would work part-time after getting off work every day. By chance, I received an order for expedited document delivery. When I arrived at the destination, a man opened the door. He turned around and called out his girlfriend’s name, “Katrina, the file you urgently need has arrived.” I thought it was just a coincidence of sharing the same names. Unexpectedly, my girlfriend’s voice came out. “Okay, ask the runner to buy us a few more boxes of this.” Soon after, an empty box of condoms was thrown at the man’s feet. ****** Katrina went bankrupt. To help her pay off her debts, I cashed in all the brand-name watches that Katrina gave me as well as the expensive cultural relics I bought at the auction. I even spent all my savings that I had saved for many years to help her, But she still owed more than 800,000 dollars. So, after work every day, she and I would do part-time jobs. During the day, I worked as a salesperson in a high-end clothing store, and she distributed flyers on the street. At night, I ran errands, and she worked as a driver. Today, I took an order to go to a company to pick up a document for the boss. As generous as the payer was, he was willing to give me an extra thousand dollars as a tip. The only requirement was that the delivery must be done as fast as it could be. When I received this order, I was waiting on the roadside for the owner of a pancake stall to make me pancakes. I was so hungry today that I ordered a twelve-dollar pancake to treat myself. But when I saw the message from the payer, I immediately rode my electric scooter towards the designated location. While waiting for the secretary to deliver the documents downstairs in the company, I took the time to share the good news with Katrina. I texted, “Katrina, I made more than a thousand today. You said that you wanted to eat ribs. Let’s buy some ribs tomorrow.” After the message was sent, there was no response. But I believed that Katrina must have been receiving guests. To get customers to their destination safely, she seldom replied to my messages. She would only do that when she was free. This seemed to have become a tacit understanding between us. I would send Katrina messages. When she texted back in her free time, she would give me enough emotional support. We had never complained about the unfairness of fate. Even at the lowest point, we just held each other’s hands tightly. When we looked at the slowly rising sunlight outside the window together, we secretly made up our minds to make a lot of money. This time, the destination was a bit far away. But thinking of the thousand-dollar tip, I was glad that I got this order. When I arrived at the villa area, I was stopped by a security guard at the door. He looked at my car and said in a loud voice, “Outside vehicles are not allowed to enter the community.” Seeing the order that was about to expire, I was extremely anxious, but I also understood the security guard’s implicit meaning. I parked the car on the side of the road, held the documents tightly in my hands, and rushed into the community. After jogging to the destination, I saw a man open the door for me. He had a bath towel around his waist. The few wet strands of hair on his temples and the crazy kiss marks on his neck told me everything that had just happened in the villa. He stood on the steps, leaning against the door frame with his arms folded across his chest, and he smelled of the pleasant scent of gardenia. As if he was disturbed, he asked impatiently, “What’s the matter?” I handed over the document in my hand. “Hello, your document has been delivered.” He took the document in confusion, but seeing the contents, he instantly understood. He casually flipped through the file bag while saying, “This is my girlfriend’s file.” I took out my phone and opened the order interface. After clicking to complete the order, I was about to turn around and leave, but he shouted his girlfriend’s name into the house. “Katrina, the documents you urgently need have arrived…” The people in the room responded quickly. “Please help me get it in. It’s quite important. I’ll need it for the meeting later. I have to take a shower first.” Upon hearing the sound, I was completely stunned. This voice was so familiar that I could even imagine the look on the speaker’s face. Before I could react, a box was thrown out. Katrina’s voice came from inside the house again. “By the way, ask the errand boy to help us buy a few boxes of this.” The empty box rolled on the ground and finally landed at the man’s feet. He bent down to pick it up and then threw the box back at me. He then said, “Please help us buy a few more boxes. We are in a hurry. By the way, I’m allergic to silicone oil. Remember to buy hyaluronic acid. After you buy it back, I’ll give you another two thousand dollars as a tip.” I lowered my head stiffly and saw the big words printed on the box. I felt my throat tightening as if I were being strangled.

When Katrina returned to our rental house, it was half past two in the morning. I sat on the ground, tending to the wound on my leg. I didn’t even raise my head when I heard the noise coming from the entrance. Katrina didn’t seem to understand why I stayed up so late. She asked, “Haven’t you gone to sleep? You said you wanted to eat shrimp a few days ago, so I bought some.” Katrina walked over and put the shrimp in her hand aside. When she saw the wounds on my knees and arms, she seemed a little flustered. “You are injured. What happened?” My tone was calm. “I accidentally fell while delivering a bill today.” She took out a new cotton swab, sprayed some iodine on it, and then carefully took care of the wound for me. When I got a little closer to Katrina, I could smell the fragrance of her shower gel, which was exactly the same as the smell of the man who opened the door today. Katrina worked part-time and had a busy day, but there wasn’t even a hint of sweat odor on her body. She was so careless even in her disguise. I wondered, “Does she think I’m easy to fool, or does she simply not bother to pretend in front of me?” After I left the villa area, several sports cars that looked very expensive followed me. Those rich girls in the car tried to cut in maliciously several times. They seemed to take this as fun. After I fell to the ground in a panic, they laughed and left. Of course, their conversation came to my ears. “Will Katrina be angry about us?” “You are worrying too much. She won’t be angry with us because of this man.” “Don’t you know Katrina? How could she like him?” “Garnett Patrick has returned. Katrina will cut off contact with that man sooner or later.” Their car was getting farther and farther away, but there seemed to be a loudspeaker beside them, allowing me to hear them very clearly. The stinging pain in my knee brought me back from my thoughts. I looked into Katrina’s eyes, trying to find the guilt in her eyes after deceiving me. Katrina threw the cotton swab into the trash can. It seemed that I said too little tonight. She raised her head in confusion. “What’s wrong with you tonight? Why don’t you say anything?” She came closer to me, and only then did she realize that the corners of my eyes were wet. Her eyes fell directly on my face. She was obviously at a loss and could only stroke my back gently. This was her usual way of comforting me. “Why are you crying? Did the payer of the order give you a hard time? Or is it because I came back home late tonight?” I had just calmed down, but what Katrina asked angered me. She gently wiped my wet eyes. “Neither? Then why?” Katrina couldn’t find out the reason no matter how hard she tried, leaving her anxious. I sniffed and tried to force a smile. “I’m fine. It just hurt when the disinfectant touched the wound.” She wiped my tears and asked with a frown, not believing me completely, “Really?” I nodded. While I was having shrimp with Katrina, I planned to give her a chance to confess. “Katrina, do you have anything to say to me?” I held my breath, expecting to hear something from her. She shook her head. “We are together every day. I have told you everything.” Seeing that she had no intention of confessing the truth, I felt like I was falling into an icy cave. If I failed to grab that order tonight, how long would I be kept in the dark? But in the end, I held back the questions that I had been brewing all night. I didn’t know how to start or how to ask. We had been together for three years, not a short time. When I woke up the next day, Katrina had prepared breakfast. She picked up the keys from the table and gave me a kiss on the cheek as usual. “I’m going to work.” I called out as she was about to leave, “Katrina.” She turned and looked at me. “Are you free tonight? I want to talk to you,” I asked. She hesitated for a moment and finally nodded. As the door closed, the house became quiet again. Quietness was like a silent beast, constantly devouring my love for Katrina. I know she was not free tonight. Last night, when she went into the bathroom to take a shower, I checked her phone. Tonight was her half-yearly gathering with her upper-class circles. The organizer was Garnett, so she would definitely be there.

During the day, I worked as a salesperson in a high-end clothing store, and I would get a ten-point commission on each piece of clothing sold. Today, I went to work as usual but was temporarily transferred to another store by the store manager. Almost as soon as I changed into my work uniform, customers came to the store. “Welcome.” I greeted customers with a smile that I had trained thousands of times, but when I saw the comer, I was on the verge of breakdown. “I customized some clothes and shoes. I came here to pick them up today,” the man said. He walked up to me in a dark brown haute couture suit. He slowly took off his sunglasses, revealing his charming eyes, with an attitude of arrogance and impatience. “By the way, I’m Garnett Patrick.” He was the man who opened the door for me yesterday when I delivered documents. He should also be the man who was mentioned by those wealthy ladies last night. The clerk on the side pushed me away and showed a flattering smile. “Mr. Patrick, please come this way.” Garnett gave me a glance with an inexplicable look on his face that I couldn’t understand. He pointed at me. “I only want him to serve me, and others can go to the front hall to receive new guests.” After Garnett entered the VIP reception area, I was stopped by the store manager. He looked a little nervous. “You can’t mess with the guy inside. Just do what he says. Do you understand?” “The Patrick family are our distinguished guests, not to mention that Mr. Patrick is Ms. Moritz’s fiancé. If you have more patience in everything and make him happy, you won’t have to worry about your performance this month.” I thought, “Ms. Moritz? Is it Katrina?” It was really hard for her to act affectionate for three years. I was afraid that in the end, even Katrina herself would be moved by the small favor she gave. I took a deep breath. “Manager, I don’t want to.” When the store manager heard my refusal, he interrupted me in panic, “Why don’t you want to? Mr. Patrick appointed you to serve him. This is your blessing. See? Bob wants to go but he can’t.” He pointed to the clerk standing in the front hall. Some people were willing to be submissive and agreed to disregard their dignity. But I didn’t want to. The moment I learned that Katrina was not bankrupt, I was subjected to a big blow. Those oaths of being together forever dampened all my motivation. Garnett impatiently urged me inside, which instantly scared the store manager. He lowered his voice. “Is there too much pressure from work? Well, as long as you serve Mr. Patrick well, I will apply to the superiors to give you a week’s vacation to relax.” Yes, I did need to take time to deal with some annoying things. When I opened the door and walked in, Garnett was sitting on the sofa and looking at the magazines on the bookshelf. On the coffee table next to it were the exquisite pastries just brought by the store manager and a cup of coffee with perfect latte art. Before leaving, the store manager winked at me vigorously, for fear that I would offend Garnett. Garnett took a sip of coffee and then looked up at me. He chuckled lightly and pointed to the pair of custom-made leather boots placed in front of him. “Help me put on the shoes.” I squatted down obediently and carefully arranged the details of the shoes. But the next second, I heard Garnett’s voice again. “You need to kneel. Didn’t your manager tell you?” I looked up and saw Garnett’s eyes filled with contempt and a malicious smile on his face. Thinking of the store manager’s request, I suppressed the overwhelming emotions. “Sorry, I forgot.” The shoes were very heavy and complicated, and Garnett was always making things difficult, leaving me on the verge of collapse. Even though I was tormented by Garnett, the smile on my face never disappeared. The moment I was done, Garnett’s voice suddenly became stern. “You hurt me.” Before I could react, Garnett kicked me on the shoulder. Due to his heavy kick, I fell backward uncontrollably, and the back of my head hit the sharp corner of the coffee table. The intense dizziness and pain in my head made me unable to stand upright. Seeing my painful look, Garnett seemed very satisfied. He maintained his arrogant demeanor, sitting on the sofa with his arms folded proudly. “Do you know why I called you over? Do you know why Katrina is with you? This is just a bet between her and her friends. They are betting on whether you will be stupid enough to spend your hard-earned money to help her. Did Katrina tell you that she was bankrupt?” I didn’t answer him. Garnett paused, as if he thought of something, and then burst into laughter. “By the way, do you know that all the money you worked so hard to save was transferred to me soon after Katrina got it? How pitiful! It was only more than 400,000 dollars, which was not enough for me to buy a watch and a tie. Bankruptcy was just a reason she came up with to dump you. But I didn’t expect you to stalk her and say you would help her repay these debts together. Don’t you think it’s ridiculous?” Garnett’s voice no longer had the arrogance it had before, replaced by his sneer and anger. He picked up the cup of scalding coffee, ready to throw it at me. The door of the VIP reception area was suddenly opened from the outside. Although Garnett stopped in time, some of the coffee in the cup spilled. “What do you think? Do you like customized clothes and shoes?” Katrina’s voice was somewhat endearing, but when she saw me, her voice stopped abruptly. I never thought that I would talk about these things with Katrina on such an unseemly occasion.

The store manager followed Katrina closely. When he saw the anger that had not dissipated on Garnett’s face, he couldn’t help but roar at me. “Aaron Zumthor, what’s wrong with you? What did I tell you? Get up quickly.” Only then did I realize how embarrassed I looked. I held on to the coffee table and barely stood up, but it agitated the wound from last night’s fall, and I clenched my fists in pain. Katrina walked towards me quickly. She stretched out her hand to help me, but I dodged sideways. I said in disgust, “Don’t touch me.” Katrina’s expression froze for a few seconds, and then the color on her face completely faded. With a sullen face, she turned to the store manager who was watching aside and said, “Go out first.” When the door closed, I slowly looked up and saw what she was wearing today. Having worked in this field for many years, I could tell at a glance that the fabric and bead inlay craftsmanship of the skirt she was wearing were very expensive. Even the sparkling diamonds of the small brooch on her chest were exquisite. I looked at Katrina, and my eyes felt sore and painful. “Is it fun to play tricks on me? Your lavish gambling has an innocent man involved. It is as if I just fell from the top of the mountain to the bottom of the valley. I even took out the money I had saved for many years without reservation to pay off your so-called debt.” Katrina stretched out her hands in panic as if she wanted to put me in her arms like last night. “No, that’s not the case.” At a loss, she didn’t know how to refute. She knew that what I said was true. I took a few steps back to avoid her. “Katrina, do you know who sent you the documents last night? It was me, the idiot who was teased by you. Before sending the documents, I even proudly told you that we could have ribs today.” At that point, I looked up at the exquisite and small brooch she pinned on her chest. I found it ironic. “The tip of one thousand dollars is not enough to buy a diamond on your brooch, right?” I tried to calm my breathing and not look so embarrassed. But I knew it was useless. Garnett clicked his tongue impatiently. “You said so much for money, right? After all, orphans like you can only work hard at the bottom.” When he said this, his disgusted eyes fell on me. After looking up and down, he continued to mock me. “You finally climbed up the ladder, but your dream of being a rich person is shattered. Naturally, you will ask for a lot of money. By the way, you were abandoned after being adopted. I heard that it was because you stole money.” “Shut up” Before Garnett finished speaking, I punched him in the face hard. One’s close spouse was the one who knew his weakness and how to hurt him best. I only told Katrina about the things Garnett said. She knew better than anyone that this was hurtful, but she chose to tell the twisted story to others. I was so angry that my fingertips were trembling, and the hand that hit Garnett was numb and painful. Katrina was stunned by the sudden punch. After she came to her senses, she quickly protected Garnett behind her. She yelled at me, “Do you know what you are doing?” Furious, Garnett picked up everything he could get on the coffee table and threw it at me. “You dare to hit me? My parents never slapped me in the face.” Before Garnett could make his next move, the door to the VIP room was opened again. The comer applauded casually, her tone full of amusement. “It’s really wonderful. I didn’t expect such a big show to happen.”

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My tendons were cut, my eyes gouged out, and I was tortured to death. Yet when my father spoke of me, he still cursed. “I never had such a son! It’s better he died out there!” He’d beat me mercilessly with his belt and throw away the health tonics I bought him. In front of the neighbors, he’d slap me hard across the face, roaring at me to get lost. But when my body was brought to him, dressed in a police uniform and adorned with medals carried by my fellow officers, this veteran broke down, wailing uncontrollably. “Son… God, I’m so sorry!” ***** I was dead. My tendons severed, my eyes blinded, my body beaten beyond recognition. The final blow struck my chest, ending my life for good. By the end, staying alive had become the real hell. Every second, I silently begged those two psychos to just finish me off. When the last blade pierced my heart, I barely felt a thing. Hours of agony had numbed me to the pain. Darkness enveloped me, but my soul felt brighter than ever. I knew my message had reached my team. They’d be here soon. This massive drug operation would finally be shut down for good. Ten long years undercover, and my mission was complete at last. Slowly, the cold grip of blood loss faded away. Suddenly, I felt myself drift upward, my spirit separating from my body. Below, I saw my own battered corpse and the two heartless bastards standing over it. One of them kicked my lifeless body. Realizing I was truly dead, he spat viciously. “Fucking finally. Tough son of a bitch lasted way longer than I thought. My arms are killing me from all that pounding. Come on, give me a hand. Let’s dump this poor schmuck in that junkyard over the hill!” I watched helplessly as they hauled my body away, tossing it into the desolate scrapyard like yesterday’s trash. Then, as if pulled by an invisible force, my spirit drifted across half the city, back to the old neighborhood I once called home. There, hunched and frail, a familiar figure shuffled slowly down the sidewalk. My eyes stung with ghostly tears as I choked out, “Dad…” James Henderson, my father, walked on, deaf to my words. Our neighbor, Larry, spotted him and called out with a smile, “Hey James, where’s that boy of yours? Haven’t seen him around in ages.” Dad’s friendly expression darkened instantly. He exploded, “I haven’t had a son for ten years! Even if I did, he’s probably dead in a ditch somewhere by now!” “How could anyone have such a good-for-nothing child? The day that plague dies will be the day the Henderson name is finally clean!” My chest tightened, the knife wound burning like it was freshly poisoned. I’d barely set foot in my hometown for the past ten years, but every time I did, I heard the same hateful words. Two Christmases ago, I headed home with bags of groceries, hoping to spend the holiday with my father. As soon as I opened the door, he slapped me hard across the face. “Get out! I don’t want anything from you!” I forced a smile, trying to placate him. “Dad… please, just let me stay for dinner. I’ll leave right after.” To my shock, he grabbed the trash bag by the door and dumped its contents over my head, right in front of the neighbors. “Don’t you dare call me Dad!” he bellowed. “No son of mine would turn out to be such a monster! You’re better off dead in a ditch somewhere, and don’t ever show your face around here again!” I stood there, reeking garbage and leftover food covering me from head to toe, as the neighbors muttered and whispered around us. “Man, James sure is cold-hearted,” someone muttered. “What do you know?” another voice snapped. “His son is nothing but trouble – drugs, stealing, messing around. He got what he deserved!” My face burned with shame. On Christmas, I sat alone on the freezing street, covered in garbage, for the entire night. It snowed that night, but my heart was colder than the ice. The mocking laughter in front of me broke through my thoughts. I knew the neighbors were doing it on purpose. Everyone in the neighborhood knew that James’ son had been kicked out of the police academy for drug use, and his bright future had gone up in smoke. And James, who had once bragged about me to anyone who would listen when I got into the academy, had become the laughingstock of the entire community. Years ago, when Larry was young, he’d harassed some women. My dad, a military veteran, had taught him a lesson with his fists. Their relationship had been icy ever since, and Larry knew just how to get under my dad’s skin. When Larry heard my dad’s words, he smirked. “Come on, James. That’s a bit harsh, don’t you think? Like it or not, he’s still your flesh and blood. Your son.” My father’s face turned livid, his jaw clenched tight. “I have no such son,” he spat out. “That piece of garbage… Why doesn’t God do us all a favor and strike him down with lightning?” With that, my father stormed off. I hovered near the old man, watching as the corners of his mouth trembled almost imperceptibly. Slowly, his eyes welled up with tears. The pain in my heart was sharper than any knife. As tears started to roll down my own cheeks, I finally whispered the words I’d been choking back for what felt like an eternity, “Dad… I’m sorry.”

Dad stumbled through the front door, collapsing onto the couch with a wheezy exhale. He sat there, staring into space, for what felt like hours. Finally, he struggled to his feet and shuffled to the bookshelf. Bending down, he pulled out a small booklet from the bottom shelf. It took me a moment to realize it was my old police academy acceptance letter. With trembling hands, Dad opened it. His weathered fingers traced the words as he read aloud in a soft, shaky voice. “David… accepted to our academy… as a police officer trainee.” A lump formed in my throat. Grief washed over me like a tidal wave, leaving me breathless. Memories from that day came flooding back. I remembered racing home, waving that letter like a victory flag. “Dad!” I had shouted. “Dad! I got in!” Back then, my father was still young. He rushed out of the stairwell to greet me, grinning from ear to ear. His large hands cradled my acceptance letter, reading it over and over. “Well done, son! You’re my pride. I couldn’t be more proud of you!” That day, his laughter echoed throughout the entire neighborhood. The neighbors all said, “Like father, like son. James’ boy is truly something special, becoming a police officer!” But no one could have predicted that I’d be expelled for drug use during my second semester of freshman year. The day I came home with my bags packed, I fell to my knees. My father, eyes red with anger and disappointment, beat me until his belt broke. From that day on, he could never again hold his head high among the neighbors. His once-proud posture, straight for decades, crumpled because of me. My dad, always chatty and social, stopped playing chess and shooting the breeze with neighbors. He was afraid they’d bring me up, afraid to hear their pity or opinions about me, even if well-meaning. This cheerful old man, who’d been outgoing his whole life, started spending his days cooped up at home, cutting off contact with everyone. This went on for ten long years. Meanwhile, I was spiraling out of control, hanging with a rough crowd, and sinking deeper into a world of trouble. At first, Dad tried scolding and hitting me. But eventually, he realized nothing could keep me in line. That was when the light went out in his eyes. He stopped reaching out to me. He wouldn’t even open the door when I came home. Father and son had become enemies, and our relationship was severed completely. When I saw that acceptance letter, I could hardly believe it. I never imagined he’d kept it all this time. A wave of bitterness, hidden in my heart for a decade, washed over me. I could almost see him, night after night, holding that letter and weeping. The image hit me like a bullet between the eyes, nearly killing me all over again.

Feona Henderson, my sister, walked in just as Dad was wiping away his tears. She’d known the truth for years but pretended not to notice. “Dad, what would you like for dinner? I’ll cook.” He just shook his head, silent. Feona walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge. Her face fell as she saw it packed with groceries. “Dad, has David been here?” My dad’s expression darkened, his voice turning cold. “He showed up three days ago. Bought a bunch of stuff we didn’t ask for. Who needs his charity? Eating his food would probably take years off my life!” Feona sighed, “David hardly ever comes around these days. And when he does, you either take a swing at him or bite his head off. Why do you two keep doing this to each other?” It was true. In the ten years since I’d dropped out of the police academy, I could count my visits home on one hand. But three days ago, for reasons I’d rather not explain, I made what I knew would be my last trip home. I’d loaded up on groceries, more than I could carry, and crammed them all into the fridge. James glared at me with undisguised contempt. “Take your stuff and get out! Everything you touch is poison. It could kill me if I eat it!” His words were harsh, but I pretended not to hear. I quietly prepared a table full of dishes, then sheepishly said, “Dad, it’s been ten years since we had a drink together. Let me keep you company for a few rounds.” Surprisingly, James didn’t chase me out with a broom that day. Instead, he sat down at the table, his face grim. I raised my glass and spoke softly. “Dad, it’s been ten years. I know I’ve disappointed you and brought shame to you. “I don’t expect you to believe me, but I had my reasons. I didn’t have a choice.” James slammed his cup down on the table with a loud crack, breaking the cup. “Didn’t have a choice? I might be old, but I’m not blind! What kind of circumstances would make you quit being a cop to do drugs? What circumstances would keep you away from home for ten years? What circumstances would turn my son into a social outcast?” My forehead throbbed with shame, but I couldn’t utter a word in my defense. Several times, I tried to speak, but each time, I swallowed my words. My father’s thin, weathered hand slammed against the table as he fired off his questions, each word dripping with anguish. “Answer me! What did I always tell you when you were a kid? What should a Henderson do?” I kept my head down, fighting back tears. “We may not change the world, but we must do the right things.” As soon as the words left my mouth, my father lost control. His hand flew across my face in a stinging slap. “And what have you done? Tell me, can you live with yourself?” he growled. My ears rang as ten years of pent-up emotions exploded in an instant. I leaped to my feet, shouting uncontrollably, “I don’t regret a damn thing I did, you hear me?!” My father froze, staring at me in despair as if I were a stranger he couldn’t comprehend. After a moment of stunned silence, he finally accepted that the person before him was no longer the son he had cherished since childhood. His hands trembled at his sides, clenching into fists before he shook his head weakly. “Get out,” he said, his voice cold. “You are not my son. From now on, my son is dead to me. Get out of my sight. I never want to see you again!” And so, my final meeting with my father ended in bitter discord. I bolted from the house in a daze, somehow ending up at the old park where Dad used to push me on the swings. With trembling fingers, I pulled out my phone and dialed that number. “Captain,” I choked out, barely holding it together. “Please. I’m begging you. Let this be my final mission. I can’t… I can’t do this anymore.” My voice cracked as I whispered, “I just want to go home.”

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In the aftermath of my son’s birth, my breasts frequently swelled during the breastfeeding phase, intensifying my sexual desires. My husband was engrossed in work and couldn’t fulfill my needs, leading to escalating conflicts between us. In a bid to soothe his wounded pride, he accused me of postpartum syndrome, proposing a specialized therapy abroad to ease my symptoms. Upon our arrival, my husband escorted me to an exclusive physiotherapy clinic. To my surprise, my therapist was a strikingly handsome foreign man. In a moment of heightened emotion, he leaned close. His smile disarmed as he whispered, “Would you like to experience double happiness, madam?” He then proceeded to help me remove my disposable massage pants just as another handsome physiotherapist entered the room… I was a 26-year-old nursing mother. My name was Judy Johnson. After my maternity leave, I resumed my duties at the company, diligently expressing breast milk each day to store in the refrigerator, relying on my husband’s mother, Lily Johnson, to feed it to my son at the right times. Despite my efforts, my breasts would still swell painfully while at the office, forcing me to discreetly relieve the pressure in the bathroom. This predicament drew lewd stares from the single male colleagues, and their gazes made me profoundly uncomfortable. One day, after completing a report and delivering it to my supervisor, William Davis, for review and signature, he called me back. “Judy, your blouse has seen better days. Why don’t you head to the bathroom and freshen up?” With a gentle smile, William pointed to his chest to indicate a stain on my shirt. His kind reminder sent a flush of embarrassment through me. I hastily thanked him and retreated to the bathroom to clean up. Despite his unmarried status, William cut a striking figure, and his charm was not diminished by the fact that he had yet to reach his fortieth year. Yet, he possessed the unmistakable essence of manhood. Even his gentlest caution sent waves of embarrassment washing over me. Upon reaching the bathroom, I hastily grabbed a handful of tissues. With trembling hands, I wiped away the remnants of my disarray. Slipping into the fresh outfit I had brought along, I transformed not just my appearance but gathered my poise. Ready once more, I made my way back to William’s office. This time, standing before William, I felt an inexplicable awkwardness. His focus seemed solely on the report I had submitted. “Very well, no issues. Judy, keep up the good work,” he said. William grinned, signing off on the document. “Thanks!” As I expressed my gratitude and reached for the report, William sipped his coffee. He inquired, “Judy, the company is considering assigning me a new assistant next month. Would you be interested?” His words took me aback. I was aware his current assistant had resigned for personal reasons, but I hadn’t anticipated William would choose me as a replacement. The role didn’t demand exceptional qualifications, yet it offered double the salary and benefits of my current position, with a significantly higher year-end bonus. “Could I manage such a role?” I asked. My heart fluttered with unmistakable excitement. Indeed, such a chance was rare, and the allure was potent; what woman, particularly one who had embraced motherhood, could possibly resist this golden opportunity? “Of course, you’re more than capable.” William assured me with a smile, standing up and placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. His touch sent a jolt through me, prompting an instinctive step back. My heart raced. “But I’ve never been an assistant before. I’m afraid I might not be up to the task.” Despite my interest, I voiced my apprehension. “It’s quite simple, Judy. You’d just need to accompany me on the occasional business trip. Nothing more is required,” William answered. Sensing my concern, William moved closer without my notice. This time, he reached from behind, lightly touching my chin. His gesture, coupled with the suggestive look in his eyes, sent a shiver of fear through me.

“Mr. Davis, I…I need time to consider this,” I stammered. I was caught off guard and swiftly retreated, grabbing the report from the desk. Then I exited his office. In the corridor, I unexpectedly encountered William’s current assistant, Madelynn Smith. She had seen me emerge from William’s office and seemed to have overheard our conversation. With a glance to ensure we were alone, Madelynn pulled me aside and whispered, “Mr. Davis wants you as his assistant, doesn’t he? “But be warned, he’s quite perverse.” With that, she patted my shoulder and left, leaving me rooted in place. When I returned to my workstation, confusion clouded my thoughts. When the workday ended, I hurried home. Lily was in the kitchen, preparing dinner, while my son lay on the bed, wailing. I rushed to feed him and soothed him until he drifted off to sleep. As the clock neared eight, my husband, Jeremy Johnson, arrived. Over dinner, I broached the subject of becoming William’s assistant. After all, stepping into the role of an assistant would tether me to a demanding schedule. Overtime would spill into my evenings, and business trips would claim my weekends. The thought of not being able to return home for my son weighed heavily on my heart. Jeremy’s response was immediate and firm, “Mr. Davis? You mean William Davis? I’ve heard he’s a lecherous pervert. Aren’t you afraid he’ll harass you?” His words left me silent. I had never discussed William with Jeremy, yet Jeremy seemed to know of William. I had toyed with the notion of negotiating for a doubled salary or some such perk, but Jeremy dismissed the idea outright. He was firm, advising me to keep an eye out for new horizons and to switch companies when the moment was ripe. His stance was clear. Under no circumstances should I continue working in proximity to a man of William’s questionable character. With Jeremy’s disapproval, I let the matter rest. After dinner, I tended to our son and indulged in a hot bath before bed. I expected Jeremy to be waiting, but as soon as I slipped into bed, he turned off the lamp, murmuring, “It’s late. Let’s sleep.” I was taken aback. As I tried to snuggle closer, I found his back turned to me, a cold rebuff. This revelation plunged me into a well of dissatisfaction. Reflecting on the day’s earlier encounter, when William’s fingers had brushed against my chin, my lust was reignited. I immediately complained, “Jeremy, do you find me repulsive now? It’s been ages since we had sex. Don’t you desire me anymore?” “I’m just tired. I’m so tired lately,” Jeremy replied. His words immediately doused my ardor. I lay awake through the night. The next day, over lunch, I confided in my best friend, Sarah Blake. After listening, she paused and said, “Judy, could Jeremy be seeing someone else? What man could resist for so long?” Her words were a wake-up call. I pondered, “Could Jeremy really cheat on me?” I didn’t want to believe it, yet the thought gnawed at me. Seeing my distress, Sarah offered a mischievous smile, “If Jeremy won’t satisfy you, why not find someone else? We’re adults; can’t we enjoy ourselves?” “Absurd! I’m not that kind of person!” I interjected, appalled. Despite my turmoil, I remained committed to my values, unwilling to stray.

Two more days of anguish slipped by, with no thaw in the icy distance between Jeremy and me. He worked late, and I was often asleep by the time he returned. On that Thursday, as the workday neared its end, William informed me that a client was visiting and asked me to greet them. Yet, upon arriving at the restaurant, I found no client, only William, casually dressed and smiling in anticipation. “Mr. Davis, weren’t we supposed to meet a client?” I asked with a hint of irritation in my voice. “Judy, relax. Have a seat,” he replied smoothly. “I’ve heard about your recent troubles. The quarrels with your husband lead to your low spirits. How about this? I’ll add 5,000 dollars to your monthly pay, and you can spend weekends with me.” His proposal left me speechless. A whirlwind of confusion swirled within me. Sensing my hesitation, William rose with a smile and positioned himself behind me. His hands gently rested on my shoulders, and his face was inches from mine as he whispered slyly, “If you’re amenable, we could retire upstairs for a while.” As he spoke, his hand moved towards my chest. Panicked, I caught his wrist. In a twist of fate, this moment was witnessed by Jeremy. “Judy, what’s the meaning of this? Are you cheating on me?” Jeremy stormed over, cursing and shoving William to the ground. Fortunately, his two companions restrained him, averting further escalation. When we were back home, a tempestuous argument erupted. I poured out every detail to Jeremy, recounting the reasons for William’s offer. Overwhelmed by a surge of emotion, I found myself sobbing openly. The quarrel subsided, leaving Jeremy to realize the depth of his recent neglect and the injustices I had suffered. He acknowledged the possibility of postpartum syndrome and vowed to take me abroad for a restorative break. Swiftly, Jeremy booked us on a direct flight to Dovie Island for Saturday afternoon under the pretense of seeking postpartum therapy to alleviate my symptoms. I didn’t object, reasoning that a change of scenery might soothe my troubled mind. Upon our arrival in Dovie Island, we indulged in the local cuisine before Jeremy led me to an enigmatic therapy center that evening. The ambiance, including the enchanting lights and the subtle fragrance, instantly calmed and delighted me. “Good evening, Mrs. Johnson. I’m your personal physical therapist. May I begin?” To my surprise, no sooner had I settled onto the therapy couch than a strikingly handsome man with the classic features of foreign descent stepped into the room. His features were finely sculpted, and his accent carried the charm of imperfection. Moreover, his smile was disarmingly enchanting. His eyes, filled with allure, met mine, and I confessed, at that moment, I was utterly captivated. “Please don’t be shy, Mrs. Johnson. Your husband, Mr. Johnson, personally chose me for you,” he explained. Sensing my hesitation, he gently comforted me. As I relaxed, he continued with a smile, “Your husband is taking a stroll now. He’ll return for you in two hours.” I nodded, smiling. Why should I refuse what Jeremy had arranged? The young man’s massage technique was masterful. With every touch, I felt more at ease. Tension melted away. As he finished with my thighs and waist, he leaned close and whispered, “Would you like to experience our special service? It offers double happiness.” My face flushed at his words. Perhaps due to a trick of my hormones, I found myself nodding in agreement. With my silent consent, he smiled and began to remove my disposable massage shorts. At that moment, the door to the therapy room opened again, and another handsome foreign man entered, starting to disrobe.

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In front of people, I was a high-cool school girl who was not to be entered by others; after people, I was an extremely thirsty, exposed girl. In photography elective class, I sat in the last row, knowing that a boy with a crush on me was looking at me; I also deliberately spread my legs to show him. … My name’s Ashley Wilson. Thanks to my pretty face and calm demeanor, the campus gossip crowned me the school’s beauty queen. But only I knew the real me beneath the surface. Ever since I turned thirteen, I’ve been battling a strange condition. When I heard my mom and dad making noises next door in the middle of the night, my whole body became uncomfortable, as if there was a fire burning in my body. At that time, I didn’t know what was going on until I gradually grew up and received a sexual enlightenment education; then, I realized that I was craving for a man. I secretly found websites to watch those movies, and slowly, I have been no longer satisfied. I secretly bought some little toys to comfort myself without my parents knowing and hid them in the crack under the bed. I knew it wasn’t right, but I just couldn’t help myself. The college had only made me wilder. Not only would I hide in the bathroom every day to reward myself, but I also became obsessed with exposing my body. Those who hadn’t experienced it couldn’t understand how thrilling it felt! Of course, when I first started doing this, I was very cautious, choosing places with few people and wearing a mask to cover myself completely. But I never expected to be secretly photographed. The person who took the photos even followed me home and got my contact information. [Didn’t expect Solar University’s beauty queen to be so wild and desperate, huh?] When I received this message, I was utterly stunned. I frantically looked around, feeling helpless and fear quickly spreading inside me. [Stop looking, Ms. Wilson. If you don’t want this video to be seen, you’d better do as I say.] Soon after, he sent me a video of myself being exposed in the park. My face drained of color when I saw the video. My hands trembled as I clutched my phone to send a message. [Who are you? What do you want?] Unknown fears enveloped me, shrouding me in a nightmare. [What do I want? Well, be at your school’s sports field at 11 PM tonight. Don’t you dare not show up, or you’ll become quite famous at your school.] [What do you really want?] I asked in panic, but then he went silent and didn’t reply. I looked up the number, hesitated, and made a call. It rang once before someone hung up. When I tried again, the phone was switched off. Staring at my phone, I was stunned. I had never imagined something like this could happen! Someone would know about my exposure! Not only did someone find out, they caught it all on video! What should I do? Called the cops? No way! If I went to the police, everything I had done would be out in the open. How could I face my parents if they knew their daughter was like this? And my teachers, classmates, friends… What would they think of me? The thought made me shake my head violently. No! Absolutely not! They can’t find out! My knuckles turned white as I gripped my phone. “Ashley, what’s wrong? You look awful.” My roommate Isabelle Winthrop came out of the bathroom and noticed my ghostly complexion. “It’s nothing.” I forced an ugly smile. “Are you sure?” Isabelle wasn’t convinced. I steeled myself, my smile turning calm. “Don’t worry, really. I’m fine.” “That’s fine. Go shower now. The hot water’s almost off.” Isabelle’s words snapped me back to reality. I checked the time. It was already 10:30. Didn’t that guy say to meet at the field at 11:30? My face dropped as I grabbed my phone and bolted. “Isabelle, something’s come up. If the dorm monitor checks in, cover for me, will you?” I dashed out before she could reply. “Hey!” Isabelle called after me, but I was too wrapped up in thoughts of “If I’m not at the field by 11, that video’s going viral” to pay her any mind. Our campus is enormous. I booked it, barely making it to the field by 11. [I’m here. Where are you?] I pulled out my phone and fired off a text. No response. I waited another minute—still nothing. [Where are you?] I sent another message. But again, radio silence. I was getting antsy. Why wasn’t he responding? He hadn’t already leaked the video, had he? My mind was in chaos. “Hey, you are really punctual, huh?” Suddenly, a figure appeared behind me and wrapped his arms around me in a hug. “Ah!” I screamed, only to have my mouth quickly covered by his hand. “Don’t shout, or I’ll send out the video!” He whispered menacingly into my ear, pressing his face against mine. My heart pounded wildly, my eyes wide with terror as I whimpered and shook my head. “Delicious.” He was like a creep, and the next moment, a wet tongue licked at my neck.

I trembled all over with fright, struggling desperately. Though I had rewarded myself countless times, I had never been touched by a man before. It was my first time! Panic-stricken, tears streamed down my face as I turned to plead with him. He wore a mask, obscuring his face, but his eyes, brimming with aggression, were clear to see. “Miss Popular, don’t you enjoy showing off? Show me something now!” He taunted, gripping my face with palpable excitement. I looked at him imploringly, shaking my head vigorously. “Show me!” He roared, squeezing my face so hard that tears flowed anew. Under duress and fear, I slowly lifted my skirt. The man behind me, his eyes bulged the moment I did so. His throat bobbed rapidly, eventually erupting into a strange chuckle. “Who would’ve thought our school beauty was so bold? Did you intentionally skip wearing it because you were meeting me here at the track?” Overwhelmed with shame, I clenched my teeth and whispered, “No… that’s not it.” “So you usually go without, huh? You really are daring!” His voice carried an odd laughter. I felt utterly humiliated. All I could do was bow my head in silence. He then removed his hand from my mouth. I was startled, and then a glimmer of relief crossed my face. I thought he was ready to let me go. Clearly, I was mistaken. His call to the track at this hour had an ulterior motive. Before I could relish a few seconds of relief, my body was already pinned down from behind, pressed against the track’s surface. “What are you doing!? Let go of me!” I cried out in panic. He braced his knee against my lower back and sneered, “What am I doing? What do you think? With you acting so flirty, you must be desperate for a man, right? I’m just helping you out here!” I heard the sound of his belt unbuckling. Despair washed over me. My hands clawed at the rubber track, tearing it apart. I dared not scream for help; doing so would save me, but at the cost of exposing my secret exhibitionist tendencies. The thought of those mocking and scornful looks made me wish for death! No! Absolutely not! I could die, but I couldn’t face social suicide! I finally understood why people joke about clearing their browser history before they die. Sometimes, social suicide felt worse than the real thing. He leaned in close. I could feel the heat radiating off him, his body pulsing with energy. Just then, a beam of flashlight light shot over from a distance. The person behind me paused, then hurriedly stood up and pulled me to my feet. “Keep quiet, or I’ll send out the video I took of you!” he hissed into my ear, then grabbed me and tried to hide in the bushes next to the playground. “Who’s there?” The voice of the security guard startled the man behind me. He pushed me away and ran off. I breathed a sigh of relief, quickly straightened my clothes, took a few deep breaths, and walked out, pretending nothing had happened. As I stepped out, the blinding light of a flashlight hit my face. Instinctively, I raised my hands to shield my eyes. “Which class are you from? What are you doing out here in the middle of the night?” The guard scrutinized my face with his flashlight, his eyebrows furrowed. “I couldn’t sleep, just out for a walk,” I said, feigning calm. “A walk?” He glared at me. “The dorms are locked at this hour. Who was that running off, your boyfriend? I know what you youngsters are up to.” I covered my face and bowed my head in embarrassment, which only made him more confident of his suspicions. “Young and misguided, engaging in such antics! Which class are you in?” The security guard wasn’t about to let me off the hook. My heart skipped a beat. If he found out who I was and which class I was in, I’d be toast. I covered my face, my eyes darting around. Then I spun on my heel and bolted. “Hey, stop right there!” The security guard gave chase. Age was on my side. I ran like my life depended on it and soon left the old guy in the dust. I sprinted to the shore of Solar Lake on campus and bent over with my hands on my knees, gasping for air. My face was still frozen in panic. But the campus was huge. Having shaken him off, I wasn’t worried about being found again. I felt relieved, remembering I’d kept my face covered since the guard showed up. He probably didn’t get a good look at me. Just as I started to relax, my phone suddenly blared to life. I nearly jumped out of my skin and almost tumbled into the lake.

My phone lit up with Isabelle’s name on the screen. “Hey, Isabelle, what’s up?” I caught her name and answered right away. “Ashley, I covered for you during the room inspection.” “Thanks, Isabelle,” I said gratefully. Isabelle hesitated, then asked, “Ashley, is something wrong? You can tell me! We’re roommates, best friend even. Whatever it is, I’m here to help.” Isabelle’s concern touched me. But this? There was no way I could let her in on it. “It’s nothing, really… It’s just some family stuff. I’ll be back in class tomorrow.” I lied, keeping my tone light. That seemed to satisfy her. She offered to call in sick for me if I couldn’t make it back in time. I assured her I’d be there, then ended the call. Sitting in the pavilion by Solar Lake, the breeze off the water did nothing to calm my racing thoughts. Who was that guy with the video of me? Would he come after me again? Was I doomed to live under his thumb? The security guard saved my bacon this time, but what about next time? Or the time after that? Could I count on being that lucky again? If not, was I just supposed to let him have his way with me? I stared blankly at the moonlit surface of the lake. I let out a heavy sigh. Oh, Ashley! Why did you have to have this kink? Satisfied now? Caught red-handed, huh? I felt utterly frustrated, but deep down, I knew I had no control over these impulses. I sat alone in the pavilion until dawn, only leaving when the early birds showed up for their morning workout. I grabbed a bite to eat and camped out in the classroom. About two hours it was passed before other students started trickling in. The moment Isabelle walked in and spotted me, she plopped herself down right next to me. “Ashley, what’s the emergency back home? You had to rush out so late last night.” I blinked, deflecting, “It’s nothing. We’ve got photography class today, right?” “Yeah, here’s your book. I bought it for you.” Ashley eyed me for a moment before pulling a book from her bag and placing it on my desk. I shot Isabelle a grateful look, not bothering with words of thanks. We’d been like sisters for two years. There was no need for formalities between us. Up front, the teacher droned on, our previous assignments flashing across the big screen. My mind wandered. Suddenly, my phone buzzed twice. My face fell instantly. These days, that sound sets me on edge. I snuck a glance at my phone and bit my lip. It was him again! Another message from him! [Hey, sweetie. Move to the back row.] Was he in the classroom? I instinctively glanced around but didn’t spot anyone out of place. Everyone here was from my class. There were strangers in sight. [Don’t bother looking. You won’t find me. Just do as I say!] I blinked, took a deep breath, and told Isabelle I wasn’t feeling well before slipping into an empty seat in the back row. The back was pretty deserted, save for one guy with glasses. I remembered him. He was Matthew Everett. If I recall what Isabelle had said, he supposedly had a crush on me. Plenty of people had crushes on me at school, but this guy barely registered on my radar. Matthew looked surprised when I sat in the back row. Then his face flushed, and he ducked his head. He couldn’t seriously think I’d come back here just to sit with him, right? I shook my head and focused on my phone. [I’m in the back now. What do you want?] I sent the message while scanning the room. A wild thought hit me. Could this guy be one of my classmates? From last night at the field to knowing I was in class now, even my every move. I couldn’t help but suspect he was among us! I studied each face carefully, but nothing seemed off. Some were napping, others were whispering, and a few were zoning out. The ones on their phones were just watching videos or reading. [Ashley, I told you to stop looking. You won’t find me.] I stared at my phone, silent. [See the person next to you? You like to show your body, right? Now, face him, lift your skirt, and spread your legs.]

The day I was diagnosed with a brain tumor, I saw my wife outside the maternity ward at the hospital. My heart skipped a beat with excitement. I wanted to rush over and ask if she was pregnant with our child. But just as I got to my feet, I saw her run toward another man. Seeing how intimate they were, I lowered my eyes and let out a sneer. I never would have guessed that all those times she said she was too busy with work to come home, she was actually preparing to have someone else’s baby. It was midnight. I sat on the couch, smoking one cigarette after another. The ashtray on the coffee table was overflowing with butts, and I let out a deep sigh. I clutched my phone, hesitating for a long time, scrolling back and forth through my contacts until I finally stopped on my wife’s name, Lizbeth Webster. I gritted my teeth and was just about to dial her number when the door suddenly swung open. I stubbed out my cigarette and stood up from the couch. I turned around and saw two people standing in the doorway. When I saw the man supporting Lizbeth, my eyes widened in surprise. It was the same man I’d seen with her at the hospital before. I stood there, rooted to the spot as if paralyzed. Lizbeth was drunk, her cheeks flushed, her clothes disheveled. She leaned against the man for support. That man’s face was a bit red. It looked like he’d had a fair amount to drink, too. He seemed surprised to see me home but still helped Lizbeth over to the couch, laying her down gently. “Mr. Webster, you’re home. Lizbeth said no one was here, so I brought her up,” he explained. “She had a bit too much to drink at a business dinner. If it’s not too much trouble, could you make her something warm to drink?” He turned toward the door, giving me a nod. “Goodbye, Mr. Webster.” I grabbed Lizbeth’s car keys from her bag and caught up to him, offering him a smile. “I noticed you’ve been drinking too. Let me drive you home.” He looked down. With only the porch light on, I couldn’t make out his expression. I thought he might come up with some excuse to refuse, but he nodded and agreed. I drove while he sat in the passenger seat. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, and he happened to look back at me. “Mr. Webster, when are you and Lizbeth planning to have kids?” Hearing his question, I lowered my head, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “That’s up to Lizbeth. I don’t want to pressure her. We’ll just let things happen naturally.” He turned his head to look out the window and said thoughtfully, “Letting things happen naturally. That’s good.” After dropping him off, I leaned back in the driver’s seat, staring at the lit window across the street, a restless feeling churning inside me. I remembered there was a pack of cigarettes hidden in the glove compartment, something I’d stashed away secretly. Lizbeth didn’t like me smoking, so whenever we went out together, I never brought any. However, I had a strong craving, so I’d often hide a pack in the car and sneak a smoke when she wasn’t around. I unbuckled my seatbelt and opened the glove compartment. A piece of A4 paper slipped out. I bent down to pick it up, and when I saw what was on it, a sharp pain shot through my head. I pressed a hand to my temple, my stomach churning violently. I pushed open the car door and stumbled out, crouching by the roadside, retching into the bushes. I dry-heaved for a long time, but only a little bit of stomach acid came out. That was when I remembered that I’d only eaten breakfast today. I wiped my mouth, wearing a bitter smile. I felt around in my pockets, but they were empty. Thinking about what was on that A4 paper, I clenched my fists. It was Lizbeth’s seven-week ultrasound scan. I hadn’t expected their baby to be that far along already.

Lizbeth and I first met back in college. At that time, I was quite the figure on campus, coming from a wealthy family, serving as the vice president of the student council, and being the captain of the basketball team. Plenty of girls were interested in me, and Lizbeth was one of them. Initially, I had no intention of getting into a relationship. I wanted to focus on my studies and personal interests, and after graduation, I planned to establish my career first. I knew my family would arrange a suitable marriage for me. I figured I’d just pick someone who seemed decent enough to marry. Because of this, I turned down a dozen girls, including Lizbeth. But she seemed completely captivated by me, persistently pursuing me for three years. During our senior year internship, Lizbeth and I unexpectedly ended up at the same company. It was a prestigious firm with incredibly high standards for even its interns. I hadn’t expected Lizbeth to make it in as well. That was the first time I really took notice of her. And it was also the first time I got to know her deeply. I discovered that she was incredibly disciplined. She was a diligent and smart girl. During our more than six months interning together, she never showed any signs of interest or confessed to me again. I thought she might have realized that we were unlikely to be together, so she threw herself entirely into her work. I did the same, pouring all my time into my tasks, hoping to secure a permanent position with the company before graduation. By the end of the first semester of our senior year, I didn’t get an offer from the company. But Lizbeth did. The company recognized her abilities. The boss admired her work so much that she was given a formal contract even before she graduated. That was the first time I felt the sting of failure. That sense of defeat made the second semester of my senior year particularly hard to endure. I couldn’t stand it. I didn’t want to leave that company, and I didn’t want to be outdone by Lizbeth. So, the year I graduated, I returned to the company with my resume. After several rounds of interviews, I finally made it to the last stage. During that interview, I saw Lizbeth again. She was so stunning that I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She sat in the middle of the company executives and smiled at me. “You’re so outstanding. Are you sure you want to join our company?” Looking into Lizbeth’s bright eyes, my heart raced. I hesitated for a moment, then clenched my fists and nodded. “I truly believe in the company’s values…” I said a lot, and by the end, I felt so nervous that my hands and feet were ice-cold. When I finished speaking, I glanced at Lizbeth. After a brief discussion with the other executives, they all stood up, leaving just Lizbeth and me in the conference room. Lizbeth got up and walked toward me with a smile. She bent down close to my ear and whispered, “I checked. This company allows office romances.” I stared at her in surprise. She raised an eyebrow, patted me on the shoulder, and gave me a playful smile. “On behalf of the HR department, welcome aboard.” From that day on, Lizbeth and I started a flirtatious relationship. Two years later, we officially got together, but Lizbeth planned to resign. I asked her why, confused. She said she wanted to have her own career, to make her mark in this city, and to rise above the rest. Seeing the determination in her eyes, I resigned from the job I loved and joined her in starting a business. We were fairly lucky. In about two years, we had our own company. Although it wasn’t very big, we had achieved financial freedom. That New Year’s Day, I proposed to Lizbeth. By the end of the following year, we were married. Now, we’d been married for four years. We’d been through the toughest times together. Life had been getting better and better, but then I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I hadn’t figured out how to tell Lizbeth about this bad news, and she’d given me such a “surprise.” I couldn’t understand why she, the one who had pursued me in the first place, would betray our marriage in the most humiliating way.

By the time I got home, it was already past midnight. Lizbeth was lying on the sofa, tossing and turning in her sleep. Her short skirt had ridden up, exposing her legs. I sighed helplessly, grabbed a blanket, and draped it over her. Leaning down, I gazed at her heavily made-up face and shook my head. I couldn’t recall when she started favoring such bold makeup. Maybe it was the day I stepped down from the company, and she became the fierce CEO. She was always so strong-willed, needing to excel at everything, while I was more laid-back, preferring to go with the flow. Our biggest argument happened about a year and a half ago. The company was expanding rapidly. I suggested we slow down and take steady steps to avoid any mistakes that could lead to losses. But she thought I was too cautious, lacking in vision. She believed the company’s smooth sailing wasn’t just luck but a result of her relentless efforts. She even said she knew what she was doing and didn’t need me dictating how she should run things. That argument dragged on for a long time, and in the end, she even mentioned divorce. It was the harshest thing she’d ever said since we got married. After that fight, I gradually withdrew from the company, no longer involving myself in its affairs. To me, a peaceful home was more important than having a say in the company. Lizbeth preferred being in charge, so I stepped back and took on the role of her strongest support. After leaving the company, I noticed Lizbeth becoming increasingly busy, so much so that sometimes she wouldn’t come home for a month. I felt like a neglected wife locked away, waiting day after day for her return. Perhaps that’s when she changed. Maybe she had already stopped being faithful to our marriage back then. “Vince, don’t leave. Let’s have another drink,” Lizbeth mumbled, rolling over and reaching out toward me. Seeing her half-leaning out, trying to grab hold of me while calling out another man’s name, I took a step back. I yanked the blanket off her. I figured she wouldn’t need me covering her with a blanket anymore. I smoked in the bedroom all night long. I thought about it the whole night but couldn’t figure out how things had come to this. I pressed my throbbing head and stubbed out the cigarette on the windowsill. At dawn, I heard hurried footsteps from the living room, followed by the sound of the bedroom door being pushed open. Lizbeth, still in last night’s clothes, stood in the doorway, her brows furrowed in disgust. “Laurence, how many times have I told you? No smoking in the bedroom. Don’t you know I hate the smell of smoke? “And you left the cigarette butts on the windowsill? Do we not have an ashtray in this house? What’s happened to you? Where’s the clean and considerate man who never pissed me off?” Lizbeth was trembling with anger, her face twisted in frustration. I stood up and faced her. My head pounded, my stomach felt uneasy, and I was almost on the verge of throwing up. I clenched my fists and looked at Lizbeth. “I went to the hospital yesterday.” Lizbeth stared at me impatiently. “Don’t change the subject. I’m talking about why you never listen to me. Why do you always do the things I hate? When will you finally quit smoking?” “The doctor said my health isn’t looking good. I need more rest. I need to keep a calm mind. I need to…” Lizbeth cut me off with a sneer. “You need more rest? “Laurence, I’ve been supporting you for the past year and a half. You’ve done nothing but laze around at home like some rich lady. What right do you have to say you need more rest? “I’m warning you, if you smoke in the house again, I won’t come back.” She stormed over to the wardrobe, yanked out a couple of clothes, and didn’t even bother to look at me again. I lowered my eyes and let out a bitter chuckle. I thought to myself, “So, it’s really that obvious when someone stops loving you.” The contempt on Lizbeth’s face was obvious. With the clothes in her hands, she headed toward the door. I stood where I was and called out to her. “Let’s get a divorce.”

Lizbeth turned around in surprise, a mocking smile spreading across her face. “Laurence, are you out of your mind? Divorce? Don’t tell me you’re out of money and looking to get a piece of my assets through divorce. “I’m telling you right now, the company is in a critical growth phase and needs substantial funding. If you think you can get a divorce now, forget it. “If you’re really that bored, why don’t you go on a trip or something? It’ll save you from sitting around the house dreaming up nonsense.” Lizbeth stormed out, her footsteps echoing as she gathered her things outside. Hearing the sound, I rubbed my cheeks in frustration. I clenched my fist and slammed it onto the bed. I had only wanted to end our marriage, but to her, I was just some scoundrel trying to grab her wealth through divorce. I thought, “Well, if that is what she thought, then I’ll play along. The company was built by both Lizbeth and me through our combined efforts. There’s no reason I should suffer alone in silence while she and her new lover enjoy a life of luxury.” I picked up my phone and called my lawyer friend, Matthew Deleon. “Matthew, I need some legal advice.” After hanging up, a sharp pain shot through my head. I raised my hand and tapped my skull, forcing myself to stand up from the bed. When I was a kid, my dad always told me that as long as my will was strong enough, nothing could bring me down. This tumor in my head… It was just an inconvenience. It gave me headaches and soured my mood. However, I believed that as long as I held on tight to my willpower, I could pull through. Leaning against the wardrobe, I reached out for a shirt. I stared at the shirts hanging in the closet, but suddenly my vision blurred. I couldn’t even make out their shapes. I rubbed my eyes, but the fog didn’t lift. Frowning in frustration, I grabbed at whatever shirt I could touch. Just as I got hold of a sleeve, everything went black, and I lost consciousness. When I opened my eyes again, the world outside was shrouded in darkness. Lying there, I stared up at the ceiling and fumbled for my phone beside me. Bringing the screen close to my eyes, I noticed several missed calls from Matthew. I frowned. Just as I was about to call him back, Lizbeth’s name flashed on the screen. I squinted to make sure it was really her before finally picking up. “Laurence, I don’t care what crazy thing you want to do, but don’t let your friends keep calling me. “I’ve had a long enough day at work as it is. I don’t have the time, nor the obligation, to help your friends track you down. “There’s a lot going on at the company this month, so I’m not coming home. And when I do come back, I expect you to have quit smoking.” Lizbeth hung up before I could get a word out. I opened my mouth, but no sound came. I rubbed my eyes hard, but my vision remained as blurry as ever. The doctor had warned me that the tumor in my brain was in a terrible spot. It was pressing on both my optic and motor nerves. In the future, I might not only lose my sight but also end up in a wheelchair, completely disabled. Thinking about this, I immediately dialed Matthew’s number. I needed to sort out the financial matters with Lizbeth as quickly as possible. I wanted to be at my best when I divorced her.

Under my mother’s strict discipline, I was successfully admitted to Harvel University. On the day the results were announced, everyone praised my mother’s educational methods, believing she would enjoy a happy life. A reporter came to interview her, and she shared her educational experiences without any humility. She said, “Only through strict discipline can a child achieve success.” The whole city was celebrating for me. However, I left a farewell letter and stood on the rooftop. I thought, “Mom, you wanted me to go to Harvel University, and I got accepted. Please let me go.” My mother held a doctorate, and my father had a master’s degree from a prestigious university. After I was born, I could speak at seven months and walk at eight months. Everyone praised me as a naturally smart child, saying that with proper nurturing, I would surely get into Harvel University. My mother thought the same. She even used Harvel as my name, naming me Harvel Walsh. She was very dedicated to this goal. By the time I was three, I still couldn’t write well. I went to kindergarten during the day and came home at night to recite past presidential speeches. While my peers played freely in the yard, I envied them, always peering longingly through the window. When my mother noticed, she had the curtains drawn, cutting off my desire to see the outside world completely. She would hit my palms with a stick, her face full of disdain. “These kids are already losing at the starting line and will achieve nothing great in the future. You cannot be led astray by them.” Relatives advised my mother to have another child, saying such good genes shouldn’t be wasted. But my mother firmly refused. “All my time and energy must be devoted to Harvel. She is meant to go to Harvel University; she cannot be distracted.” Then she turned to me and said, “I’ve sacrificed so much and pinned all my hopes on you. You must succeed in your application.” When I started elementary school, my mother’s methods became even stricter. I had to complete extra exercises she assigned until midnight, barely getting enough sleep. I often fell asleep over my work. My mother would stand behind me and wake me with a thin stick. “All you do is sleep. You’re not allowed to sleep until these exercises are finished.” In pain, I would tear up but dared not resist. Over time, my mental state deteriorated. Relatives couldn’t bear to watch anymore and said my mother was stifling my natural talent and would drive me crazy sooner or later. My mother was furious, accusing them of being jealous of her genius daughter. Relatives told my father, who worked far away, but he was powerless to intervene. He could only advise relatives to mind their own business. Later, the relatives stopped visiting, saying our family was crazy and anyone who got involved would be unlucky. But my mother was very satisfied with the situation. Every day, she stood behind me with a stick, watching me do my exercises. “Now that no one dares to disturb you, let’s see how you can slack off.” The stack of exercise books beside my desk kept growing higher. I felt exhausted. After graduating from elementary school, I entered the best junior high school in the city. In this new environment, no one knew me. Because of that, I made my first friend. Her name was Melinda Acosta, and she was my deskmate. Melinda was cheerful and struck up a conversation with me right away, sharing her favorite snacks. I was thrilled and reluctant to eat the snacks she gave me, keeping them hidden in my backpack. After school, I eagerly gave the snacks to my mother and told her about my first friend. But my mother turned around and threw the snacks into the trash, scolding me for being distracted by trivial things. I lowered my head and dared not speak further. She then asked about the girl’s grades. I answered honestly, “She’s at the bottom of the class.” My mother’s expression darkened, and she said nothing more. The next day, Melinda refused to play with me and even asked the teacher for a seat change. I was confused and went to ask her. Melinda shoved me hard and shouted, “Your mom called my house and said that a poor student like me doesn’t deserve to be friends with you and will only drag you down!” The whole class looked over, whispering among themselves. “What’s so great about good grades that you look down on others?” “Is her mom crazy? What’s wrong with having poor grades? How can she insult others?” I was so upset that tears streamed down my face as I walked away silently. Returning to my seat, I found that the desk and chair next to me were gone. The homeroom teacher awkwardly told me, “Your mother insisted that you sit alone, saying that other students would affect your studies.” I kept my head down and said I understood. From that day on, no one dared to come near me, afraid of being warned by my mother for talking to me. I ate alone every day, attended classes alone, and went home alone. Every night, I did exercises until late into the night. In every exam, I was at the top of the grade. My mother proudly proclaimed it everywhere. She said her daughter was indeed born to go to Harvel University. I bitterly thought, “Is this talent?” I touched the thick calluses on my hands. They were the marks left by countless exercises. Later, I entered the top high school in the province with the highest score in the city. I broke the record for the highest score ever and was awarded ten thousand dollars. My mother gleefully collected the money. Many of her colleagues came to ask her for advice on how to raise such an outstanding child. My mother called each one to share her experience. “I think it’s still about talent. Both my husband and I graduated from prestigious universities, so how could our child be any worse? “If there’s no talent, then it’s all about effort. My Harvel does ten worksheets a day without fail. “No talent and no effort? Then use punishment. Discipline produces devoted children and talented ones.” She posted a video on her Twitter account. The title was [Strict Mothers Are Good Mothers] In the video, when I got a question wrong, she hit my back with a stick. The post was shared by her colleagues and unexpectedly made the front page of a small but prominent newspaper’s website. The headline was: [Will Children Raised by Strict Mothers Become Successful or Rebel?] My mother firmly commented: [Of course they will become successful. Harvel has never defied me.] But soon, my actions completely embarrassed her.

At the top high school in the province, I was surrounded by classmates who were both intelligent and hardworking. I found it increasingly difficult to keep up with my studies. In the first monthly exam, my grades plummeted—I fell to 30th place in the year. My mother couldn’t accept this. She stormed into the school and caused a huge scene. She insisted there must have been a mistake in the grading process and demanded a recheck. “Harvel has been a top student all her life. How could she possibly rank so low? You must have taken bribes and deliberately marked her down!” The teachers were frustrated but helpless. I felt incredibly embarrassed and tried to tug at my mother’s sleeve, hoping she would leave. But she slapped me hard across the face, her expression twisted with rage. “Harvel, you’d better pray they really made a mistake, or you’ll be in big trouble!” I clutched my face and retreated to a corner. The teachers tried to persuade her, saying that no matter what, she shouldn’t lay hands on a child. But my mother wouldn’t listen. She was adamant about the recheck. Unable to stop her, the teachers had to call in the principal. The principal asked the teachers to pull out my exam papers and regrade them right in front of her. The results were the same. My mother’s face turned dark. Without a word, she dragged me home roughly, without even asking for leave. Back home, in that study with the sealed-off windows, I endured a beating worse than ever before. “Harvel, is this how you repay me? You think I can’t control you anymore? If you keep scoring this low, how do you expect to get into Harvel University?” I curled up in the corner, shutting my eyes against the pain. All the wounds were on my back; when I returned to school, no one would see them. I had become infamous at school. Everyone was talking about how my mother had made a scene. But I had grown numb to it. This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened. The teachers were concerned and subtly asked if I needed help. I shook my head and forced a smile. I knew no one could help me. For the first time, I skipped class and wandered to the pond behind the school. The pond was filled with thick lotus leaves, and the blooming lotuses were beautiful and mesmerizing. I stood there, lost in thought, and a dangerous idea flashed through my mind. I thought, “If I jump in, no one will find me. It would be a way to end all this suffering.” I didn’t even want my mother to have my body. I pressed my lips together and moved closer to the railing. “Woof… woof…” I had one foot over the railing when I suddenly heard a faint bark from the bushes nearby. I stopped and slowly pulled my leg back. I thought, “I should take a look. One last look.” I never had a childhood—only endless practice papers day and night. When I was seven, I dared to ask my mother if we could get a cat or a dog. But she coldly refused. To her, anything that could tempt me was a devil luring me to stray from my path. It wasn’t that I particularly liked cats or dogs—I just wanted to feel the presence of something alive. I just wanted to feel that I was still alive. I walked in the direction of the sound. As I got closer, I saw a boy crouching in the bushes. He was focused on feeding a small dog with a piece of sausage. I recognized him. He was Spencer Benton. He was the second-highest scorer in the recent monthly exams. His photo was on the school’s honor roll. Noticing my presence, he looked up and offered me the remaining half of the sausage with a gentle smile. “Do you want to feed it?” I pressed my lips together, silently took the sausage, and fed it to the little dog. The puppy ate eagerly, occasionally licking my fingers with its tongue. The sensation was strange and new. I was surprised by the feeling and found myself smiling for the first time in a long while. After feeding it the rest of the sausage, I was still reluctant to let go of the moment. “You’ve had your fill for today. No more being greedy.” Spencer gently stroked the puppy’s fur. His voice was soft and soothing. I was a bit surprised and asked quietly, “Do good students skip classes too?” Spencer chuckled and glanced at me. “Didn’t you skip class too?” I bit my lip and instinctively lowered my head. It was then that I noticed the faint white scars on the inside of his wrist. “You…” I instantly understood why he was wearing long sleeves in the summer. I looked at him in shock. Spencer seemed to notice my gaze. He tugged at his sleeve, hiding his exposed wrist. He continued stroking the dog, his eyes downcast. “Her name is Bonbon. Isn’t she cute?” “Bonbon was born to a stray dog here on campus. Her mom was beaten to death. She’s all alone, so I come by every day to feed her.” While he spoke, I sat down beside him. No one had ever shared anything personal with me before, so I listened with keen interest. Then, suddenly, Spencer fell silent. I looked at him in confusion. “To be honest, I saw you thinking about ending your life earlier, so I purposely made Bonbon bark. I bet you’d have something to hold on to.” He lifted his eyes, a faint, pained smile on his pale face. “And I was right. You came back on your own.” “Because we’re the same.” I froze, stunned. Maybe it was because it was the first time I had met someone in the same situation. We found so much in common. He told me about his family. He had a twin brother who was a genius. His brother had won numerous national awards and had already been admitted to a prestigious university. As his twin, Spencer had grown up constantly being compared to him. Without his brother’s high intelligence, Spencer had to work a hundred times harder to make up for it. But he could never quite measure up. I looked at him earnestly. “But you’re already very good.” Spencer gave a bitter smile. “If only they thought like you.” By “they,” he meant his parents. I fell silent, feeling unqualified to comfort him. Spencer didn’t seem to mind. He picked up Bonbon and placed her in her little nest. Before leaving, he extended an invitation. “Do you want to come by tomorrow to feed Bonbon together?” I nodded eagerly, feeling a secret surge of joy. I felt that this place had become a secret paradise, just for the two of us. On my way back to class, my steps felt lighter, and it seemed like even the breeze smelled sweet. But as soon as I reached the classroom, my smile froze. My mother was standing right outside the door, staring at me with cold, unforgiving eyes.

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A single father had been raising his daughter alone for years, secretly solving his personal needs in such a way. ***** In the middle of the night, I got up to use the bathroom, only to find my father’s room still lit. Through the crack in the door, I saw my father, David Rhodes, setting up his phone by the bed, holding a tissue in his left hand while his right hand was under the blanket. The screen was playing porn. The headphones didn’t seem to work well, as faint, blush-inducing sounds leaked out. David’s breathing quickened, and he muttered curses under his breath until he finally collapsed onto the bed. I covered my mouth in shock, tiptoeing back to my room. It was hard to imagine that my usually dignified and gentle father would use such foul language while doing something like this. My face turned red involuntarily, the blush spreading all the way to my ears. I, Falon Rhodes, was nineteen that year. Though I had never had a boyfriend, I had always been curious about sex. But I never expected to stumble upon this scene. I grew up in a broken home. My parents split when I was three, and the judge gave David full custody. Since then, he had been both mother and father to me. I was incredibly grateful for all he had done, but I was also quite selfish. Growing up with just one parent probably left me starved for affection. I had always feared that another woman in our home would steal David’s love. That was why I had strongly resisted the idea of him remarrying. David worried that a stepmother might be mean to me and stayed single for over a decade. I used to think everyone had needs. I figured if David blew off some steam now and then, given his lack of a partner, it was no big deal. But reality was far from what I’d imagined. David was acting like a horny teenager. Almost every night since I’d been back, he’d been going at it. I watched his energy drain away day by day. His listlessness worried me sick about his health. But as his daughter, I had no idea how to broach the subject, let alone suggest he cool it. A knock at my door snapped me out of my thoughts. I opened it to find David standing there, impeccably dressed, and the picture of sophistication. He’d clearly made an effort with his appearance. A far cry from the hot mess I’d glimpsed that night, lost in the throes of passion. “Don’t forget we’re having dinner at Raegan’s tonight,” David reminded me, straightening his already perfect tie. I nodded obediently. Raegan was our next-door neighbor, another single dad with a daughter my age, Milley. We’d basically grown up together. Raegan took great care of himself. Pushing forty, he didn’t have a wrinkle in sight, giving him the appearance of a man in his late twenties. He always dressed impeccably, wearing gold-rimmed glasses that lent him an air of scholarly refinement. Being neighbors and both single-parent families, we’d grown close over the years, often looking out for each other. As I walked in, I saw Raegan, David, and Milley huddled on the couch, poring over photos from our recent trip together. Not wanting to miss out, I squeezed in to join them. As soon as I got close to Raegan, he lifted me onto his lap, wrapping his arms around me. That day, I was wearing something loose, giving Raegan the perfect view. I, on the other hand, wrapped my arms around his neck like I did when I was a child, pressing my chest against him. I could clearly feel Raegan tense up, his breathing becoming a bit unsteady. I had always been this close with Raegan, so I didn’t find anything unusual about it. Meanwhile, David and Milley were the same, with David’s arm around Milley’s shoulders. When they talked, they were so close they could feel each other’s breath.

Late at night, those sultry, teasing sounds started up again, accompanied by David’s muffled groans. He probably thought I’d be fast asleep by now like I used to be before college. However, my sleep schedule had changed since I started school. Now, these noises were keeping me wide awake. I was worried about David’s health. Could he really handle this? I knew I couldn’t just sit back and let this continue. I had to put a stop to it somehow. Barging in would only make things awkward, so I came up with a plan to indirectly interrupt them. I pretended to head to the bathroom, deliberately making my footsteps heavier than usual. This way, he’d know I was awake. Hopefully, the fear of getting caught would make him behave. When I came back from the bathroom, I didn’t hear any strange noises, and I finally managed to sleep. But when I woke up in the middle of the night needing to use the bathroom, I found a pair of women’s underwear in the trash can. Judging by the style, they likely belonged to a woman around my age. There was a sticky, foul-smelling fluid on them, and from what I learned in biology class, I knew exactly what that meant. The underwear wasn’t new, and it definitely wasn’t mine. A bold thought popped into my head. “Has my father started stealing from others? If this continues, could he become a rapist? If he gets caught, it could mean at least ten years in prison.” I didn’t dare to think any further. To prevent things from spiraling out of control, I decided to talk to David after coming out of the restroom. “Dad…” I called out. He turned his back to me with a warm smile. “What’s wrong?” I suddenly felt a lump in my throat. The words were right there, but I couldn’t say them. I was scared that if I told him, exposing the truth would be a huge blow, ruining his image in my eyes and possibly pushing him to do something drastic. After thinking it over, I decided to keep it to myself for now. I quickly changed the subject. “No, I just wanted to say, I miss you.” David chuckled, “I miss you too.” Even though I’d chickened out of spilling my guts to David, the whole mess was eating away at me constantly, robbing me of peace. Desperate for answers, I turned to the internet, searching for ways to curb sexual urges. The suggestions were all over the place. Some recommended intense exercise as a distraction. Others suggested becoming a monk, embracing vegetarianism and Buddhist teachings. One even proposed castration as the ultimate solution. Obviously, these weren’t practical. There was no way David would take up my advice. I shut off my phone, massaging my temples in frustration. Then, a thought struck me. Milley also had a single dad. Maybe I could ask her to take on this? In Milley’s room, I held her hand nervously. “Milley, I need to tell you something,” I said, “but first, you have to promise to keep it secret. Don’t tell anyone, not even Raegan.” After all, this was about David’s privacy. I didn’t want it getting out. Milley pointed at herself and promised, “Please, it’s like you don’t even know me. My lips are sealed. Just tell me.” “I found out my dad was…masturbating.” I lowered my head and blushed in embarrassment. I thought Milley would be very surprised, but she was surprisingly calm. “So what? Studies show most grown men do it.” “What about your dad? Has he ever…?” I blinked curiously. Milley nodded calmly. “Yeah, but it’s kinda awkward. If you see it, just pretend you didn’t.” I shook my head. “No, my dad’s different from Raegan. He doesn’t do it once in a while, he does it every day, and…” Seeing me hesitate, Milley frowned. “And what? Spit it out already.” “And he seems to be stealing other people’s underwear to… to do this. If anyone finds out, how will we ever face anyone in this town?” I said, feeling helpless and desperate. Milley’s expression was a bit odd, a flicker of something in her eyes. “What am I supposed to do? I want to talk to Dad, try to get him to change, but I’m so afraid he’ll just fly off the handle,” I sighed. Milley pursed her lips, thinking and saying, “Actually, I do have an idea, but I don’t think you’ll like it.” My eyes lit up. “What is it? Tell me!” “Maybe your dad should remarry, find a stepmom. That way, he’ll… you know, have someone, and he won’t be doing this sort of thing all the time,” Milley suggested tentatively. I rejected it without a second thought. “No way. What if he stops caring about me after getting a new wife? And what if the stepmom is mean to me?” I would never let anyone come between me and David, let alone some woman taking him away. “Well, there’s another option,” Milley chirped, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I could become your stepmom.” I stared at her, dumbfounded. “Is this really the time for jokes? I’m about to lose it.” But Milley’s expression remained serious. “I’m not kidding. If I were your stepmom, considering how close we are, I’d never mistreat you. Plus, your dad and I could look after you together. Wouldn’t that be awesome?” I pondered her words. If Milley had been genuinely interested in becoming my stepmom, we probably wouldn’t have had any issues. But… My frown deepened. “You little rascal! I consider you my best friend, and now you want to be my mom? That’s a terrible deal for me.” Milley smirked. “If you think it’s a bad deal, you could always become my stepmom. My dad’s still single, isn’t he?”

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