Author: Momo Chan

For six years, Taylor White and I, Caleb Clark, had been together, talking marriage. Then, suddenly, she asked me to wait. She said she had to have a grand wedding with her first love, Leo Hayes, before she could marry me. It was the dying wish of Leo’s mother, who was battling a terminal illness. Taylor couldn’t bear to see the old woman pass with regret, and tearfully promised at her bedside that she would give Leo a home. But she forgot my own mother had also long awaited my wedding. Stunned, I asked her what about me. She impatiently snapped: “Can’t you have some empathy? It’s just two more months. Are you that desperate to get married, like some weak woman?” I told her my mother had a heart condition and couldn’t handle stress. But right in front of me, she booked a marriage registration appointment: “Regardless, the groom for this wedding can only be Leo. Even if your mother can’t wait and actually dies, she’ll have to wait in line for me to marry you!” Watching her resolute back, I dialed home: “Sis, for the wedding in ten days, help me find a different bride!” 1. My sister, Chloe Clark, was shocked to hear I wanted a new bride. “What’s going on with you and Taylor, Caleb? Marriage isn’t a game, and Mom can’t handle that kind of stress!” It was precisely because I knew Mom couldn’t handle the stress that I turned to my sister for help. Fortunately, Taylor and I had dated for six years, and she had consistently refused to meet my parents. Mom only knew I had a girlfriend but never knew who she was. “Sis, I’m serious. Taylor and I can’t get married anymore!” I certainly didn’t want to commit bigamy. I expected my sister to scold me for being thoughtless, but she only paused for a moment before comforting me: “Back when she started seeing you behind my back, I warned you to be careful. If I hadn’t seen how much you liked her, I wouldn’t have even called her my honorary sister! This works out perfectly!” “Actually, before Mom and Dad knew you were dating, they’d already picked out someone for an arranged marriage for you—that girl you mentioned, the one who looks completely enchanted every time she sees you. She’s been waiting for you to break up, and just a few days ago, she even joked that if your wife wasn’t as good as her, she’d crash the wedding…” As soon as my sister mentioned it, I remembered who she meant. My parents had indeed brought it up, but at that time, Taylor and I had already been secretly dating for two years. My heart and mind were completely consumed by Taylor; how could I be willing to marry someone I barely knew? After I hung up the phone, Taylor, consumed by jealousy, kissed me fiercely to assert her claim: “Caleb Clark, you’ll never marry another woman besides me in this lifetime!” With tear-filled eyes, she begged me to grow old with her, finally admitting to my sister that we had secretly pledged ourselves to each other. She let my sister scold her for being a bad woman who had betrayed her trust without a single word of protest. At the time, my sister asked if she had truly moved on from him. Taylor immediately knelt and swore to heaven that she would only love me in this life. Her “lifetime” turned out to be terribly short. The wedding was in ten days; time was pressing. I cut my sister off directly: “Then let her be my bride. No need for a dramatic wedding crash.” The moment I finished speaking, Taylor, who had returned to retrieve her ID, pushed the door open and froze: “Wedding crash? You’re going to crash a wedding?” She glared at me as if I were the enemy: “Caleb Clark, I told you I would marry you, and I will. If you still want to marry me, don’t cause trouble! If you dare to crash and ruin Leo’s and my wedding, don’t blame me if I disown you!” I hadn’t even uttered a word, and she had already imagined me as the villain. 2. Hadn’t she already disowned me when she told me to wait for her wedding with Leo Hayes? For six years, every birthday, she would say we’d marry next year. But every “next year,” she had various reasons to avoid meeting my parents and postpone the wedding. For example, she said I was too young and shouldn’t be constrained by marriage. Or that she wanted her career to be more stable so she could assist my family’s business after marriage. Every reason, she claimed, was for my good. I loved her, so I truly believed she had my best interests at heart, and I constantly tried to placate my sister, who had long wanted to punch Taylor. After six years of waiting, even friends joked that we’d hit the “seven-year itch” before getting married. Only then did she accept my tenth proposal. The date was set, the wedding was being prepared, yet she still refused to meet my parents, saying she wanted to give them a big surprise at the wedding. But then, Leo Hayes returned to the country with his gravely ill mother. That’s when I realized I was a joke. I gave a self-deprecating smile, retrieved Taylor’s ID from the drawer for her: “Don’t worry, I have no interest in other men’s wives.” This statement seemed to sting Taylor. She frowned: “How many times do I have to explain for you to understand? This is just a fleeting, symbolic wedding. Afterward, I’m entirely yours. What more could you want?” “I understand. Go ahead and get your marriage certificate. It’s best to commit fully to the act.” The sincerity on my face made Taylor’s hand, reaching for her ID, tremble. She seemed a little guilty and explained: “I won’t actually register with Leo; it’s just a formality at the civil registry…” A formality also requires an ID? I casually hummed in response. Taylor seemed momentarily lost, taken aback by my unusual behavior. She stepped forward, intending to console me with a kiss. Then, Leo Hayes, who had apparently been listening outside the door for an unknown period, suddenly entered, squeezing between us. His movements were too forceful, and he subtly exerted pressure, pushing me backward. I stumbled, losing my balance, and fell to the ground. He, meanwhile, pulled Taylor, who had almost been knocked over, into his arms. Taylor clung to him tightly, frightened, and the two, pressed close together, uncontrollably tumbled to the floor. I watched coldly as Taylor sat atop Leo, while Leo, his face flushed with embarrassment, said in a voice just loud enough for me to hear: “Taylor, you… you’re hurting me…” Taylor cleared her throat, her cheeks crimson, but her hand remained on Leo’s abs, refusing to move. Leo looked at Taylor, his eyes full of yearning, then feigned helplessness and apologized to me: “Caleb Clark, I’m so sorry. You can hit me or yell at me, just don’t hurt Taylor! If she gets injured…” Not wanting to see the sickening pair still clinging together, I stood up on my own and walked out: “Whether she’s hurt or not, you can check for yourself. Do you need me to close the door for you?” This made Taylor’s passion-flushed face instantly turn a dark shade, whether from holding her breath or anger, I couldn’t tell: “Caleb Clark! How could you be so crude?” Me, crude? She was sitting on Leo, flushed with shyness, refusing to get up. Who was truly crude? I thoughtfully closed the door for them. While waiting for the elevator, Leo, with suspicious moisture on his face, came out and stopped me: “Caleb Clark, I’m sorry, don’t misunderstand Taylor and me. It was truly a misunderstanding! If it weren’t for my mother needing to see the marriage certificate to feel at ease, I wouldn’t trouble Taylor! Please, for my filial piety, don’t cause trouble at the wedding!” 3. “Once the time is up, Taylor and I will divorce, and I’ll give her back to you!” Saying this, he actually tried to kneel before me. Taylor, her face now back to its normal color, immediately rushed over, pulled him up, and glared at me: “Caleb Clark, I’m warning you, don’t overplay your hand and make it irreversible!” “From today until the end of the wedding, you are to stay put at home. I’ll assign a bodyguard to watch you!” With that, she called her assistant, requesting someone be sent to monitor me, to prevent me from causing trouble. Then, she checked the time and, without delay, took Leo to the civil registry. As the elevator doors closed, I didn’t miss the triumph and provocation in Leo’s eyes. Nor did I miss Taylor’s question: “Leo, did you bring your ID?” This wasn’t merely an act for Leo’s mother; it was clearly an act for me. Before her assigned bodyguards arrived, I quickly drove to the bridal shop to pick up the wedding dress. It was a handmade gown I had specially ordered from Italy to marry Taylor. But because she had recently lost a little weight, some parts needed to be altered to be smaller. There was no reason for her to marry someone else while keeping the wedding dress I ordered; it was illogical. To my surprise, when I arrived at the bridal shop, the owner looked puzzled: “Mr. Clark, your fiancée picked up the wedding dress a few days ago! She even brought a man with her to try it on. I wasn’t in the shop at the time…” The owner, seeing my troubled expression, immediately checked the security footage. On the monitor, Taylor, wearing the wedding dress I had ordered, slowly walked towards Leo, who was stunned and captivated: “Leo, do I look beautiful?” Taylor’s face radiated a smile I had never seen before. Leo’s eyes, meanwhile, gleamed with an almost green light: “Beautiful, even more beautiful than you were in my dreams! Taylor, pinch me, let me see if this is a dream. All these years, I could only marry you in my dreams…” With that, he actually choked up. Taylor, her heart aching for him, stood on tiptoes and kissed away every tear from Leo’s face: “Silly, it’s a good thing you came back in time, otherwise I would have married someone else…” The owner, watching the two passionately embracing in the video, apologized to me with extreme embarrassment: “Mr. Clark, I’m so sorry, this was my employee’s oversight… I’ll find an excuse to get the dress back for you right away!” Anyone could tell I had been cheated on, and my wedding dress stolen. The owner, furious, quickly called Taylor. The moment the owner spoke, Taylor erupted in anger: “Did Caleb Clark tell you to demand the wedding dress back? Tell him I’ll wear this dress to marry him; don’t go looking for trouble! If he causes any problems at my wedding to Leo, he’ll regret it!” I never expected Taylor to be so shameless. Why would she think I would still marry her? The owner looked at the beeping phone, embarrassed, and offered me compensation. I believed in dealing with people justly, so I immediately sent a screenshot of the original wedding dress order to Taylor. Taylor’s phone rang immediately: “Caleb Clark, what is the meaning of this? You’re asking for money because I wore the custom dress early? Shouldn’t you feel it’s worth more, having been worn an extra time?” But then, Leo said he wanted to keep the wedding dress as a treasured memory, and Taylor promptly hung up and transferred the money to me. “You quickly find the owner to custom-make another handmade wedding dress for me. It has to be even more beautiful than this one, otherwise, I won’t marry you!” 4. Six years of love, and for the first time, I realized I never truly knew Taylor White. Watching her location marker stop at the civil registry, I expected to feel heartache, but in reality, I felt nothing. I had just turned off the shared location on our couples app when Mr. Jenkins, her assistant, arrived with two bodyguards. “Mr. Clark, as long as you don’t cause trouble, we won’t interfere with your movements!” Mr. Jenkins, who had once been incredibly warm towards me, spoke polite words, but his gaze was full of disdain. I couldn’t be bothered to speak with such a fickle person. After handling my resignation at the company, I drove home. However, the automatic gate to the underground parking couldn’t recognize my car. The security guard checked the system and told me the parking space was now registered to another vehicle. After scanning my way back into the garage, I saw a new car parked in my spot. It was a birthday gift Taylor had said she would give me two months ago. But now, the person getting out of the car was Leo Hayes. He saw me at once but pretended not to, deliberately waving a bright red marriage certificate as he asked Taylor: “Taylor, as soon as the civil registry opens tomorrow, I’ll go with you to file for divorce, so it won’t delay your marriage to Caleb.” Even redder than the marriage certificate were Leo’s eyes. Taylor squeezed his cheek, coaxing him: “Silly, why are you in such a hurry? Caleb won’t marry anyone but me anyway. Even if he has to wait another ten or eight years, he’d be happy to.” I stared at their backs as they walked into the house together, and booked a hotel for myself. Feeling annoyed, I went for my usual run at a nearby park. After completing one lap, I encountered Taylor and Leo, who never liked night runs, strolling hand-in-hand, exchanging sweet nothings. Taylor leaned against Leo, appearing utterly devoted. I had no interest in their romantic words, so I put on my headphones and headed in the opposite direction, unaware that I was being followed. As I was injected with a sedative, my mouth and nose covered, and dragged into a car, I struggled with all my might. But the person choked my neck, refusing to let go. In the reflection of the car window, I saw a face that bore a strong resemblance to Leo. “You dare to steal my son’s woman? You deserve to die!” I waved desperately at Mr. Jenkins in the distance, but he seemed not to see me. He answered a phone call, then drove off with the two bodyguards. The woman behind me possessed incredible strength, not at all like someone terminally ill with only days to live. When I woke again, utterly weak, Leo’s mother lay pale in a pool of blood. Before I could understand what was happening, Taylor and her people kicked open the door. Leo, seeing his mother like this, shrieked: “Mom, what happened? Don’t scare me…” He clutched his mother tightly, roaring at me: “Caleb Clark, what did I ever do to you that you would so cruelly harm my mother? She has only a few days left to live…” Taylor, who suffered from hemophobia, barely dared to look at the pool of blood. But that didn’t stop her from calling an ambulance while simultaneously kicking me hard in the chest: “Caleb Clark, you’ve truly disappointed me!” As she reached for her phone to call the police, Leo stopped her: “Taylor, forget it. This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have asked you for help. Now I just want Mom to be safe…” Taylor, enraged, turned her fury on Mr. Jenkins:

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The day they dismembered me, Evelyn Lewis’s voice was filled with mockery: “I’ve assigned him the country’s top bodyguard team; how could anything happen to him?” Her female assistant reported anxiously: “Ms. Lewis, Mr. Harris used your written authorization, claiming you had new instructions, and dismissed all the bodyguards. And you forgot, Mr. Miller was a retired narcotics officer; I’m worried his old enemies might have come for him?” Evelyn let out a cold laugh, her eyes full of disdain. “Enemies? How many of his so-called enemies would dare to make a move on my territory?” “I merely entered a business marriage with the Harris family, and he’s using such a pathetic tactic to get attention? Does he even look like the master of the Lewis household?” “Tell him, if he’s going to throw a tantrum, it can wait until after Adrian and my engagement party is over!” Ten days later, she finally appeared at our wedding villa. Seeing me asleep on the bed, she sneered, a disdainful curl of her lips: “I knew it; you’d only use this method to force me back.” But the next second, her female assistant, face filled with horror, reached out to support me: To her shock, my head tumbled from beneath the covers. 1 “Ms. Lewis, we found a severed arm at an abandoned cartel hideout. That lone wolf tattoo… we’ve confirmed it’s Mr. Miller’s.” The female assistant’s voice trembled uncontrollably. Evelyn Lewis merely let out a cold laugh, throwing the crystal pen holder onto her expensive office desk: “Isn’t he supposed to be in the heavily secured villa? How could he have gone out? How much hush money did he give you to put on this pathetic act with him?” The assistant broke into a cold sweat, terrified: “Absolutely true! Ms. Lewis, even if I had boundless courage, I wouldn’t dare to deceive you about something like this!” “Enough!” Evelyn flung a pen, her voice thick with irritation and disdain: “A lunatic who only uses extreme tactics to grab attention, playing disappearing acts just because I’m getting engaged to Adrian, and now escalating to being dismembered? Do you really think I’d believe such a lie?” “He’s just relying on having been an undercover agent for a few years and earning some merit, thinking he’s some great hero who needs me to indulge his every whim? I’d be thanking my lucky stars if he wasn’t secretly tripping Adrian up or using his dirty tricks to harm people!” The assistant’s face turned ashen, not daring to utter another word. “What’s more…” Evelyn rose, her gaze imperious: “Although I kept him confined to the villa, the guards I left were all elite special forces. Even if he wanted to court death, it would be difficult.” With that, she strode toward Adrian Harris, who was waiting by the floor-to-ceiling window, never looking back. My soul floated in mid-air, involuntarily twisting into a desolate smile. She seemed to have forgotten, she had given Adrian full authority to mobilize all resources under her name. She had once declared in front of everyone: “Everyone listen closely, Adrian’s commands are my commands! They must be followed and executed one hundred percent.” The excuse, ostensibly, was her fear that I, this “madman,” might harm her pure and flawless Prince Charming. It was precisely because of such overwhelming favoritism that day at the villa, Adrian dared, in front of me, to mock my father, who died in the line of duty, calling him an idiot. And she truly adored Adrian. Just because I, in my anger, punched Adrian, she had me completely confined. She was always so self-righteous. While cursing me to “drop dead outside,” she simultaneously set up an inescapable net, claiming it was to prevent me from causing trouble. But Adrian’s authority superseded everything. He used Evelyn’s authorization to easily dismiss all security. And he deliberately leaked my location to the cartel’s remnants. Those desperate individuals, hell-bent on avenging their cartel boss. That day, they burst in. With my last breath, I broke three ribs and incapacitated one man’s arm. But in the end, I was overwhelmed and held down. When I was found, all that remained were dismembered pieces, packed into several boxes. It was my mother, a retired female detective, who, using all her personal connections, painstakingly gathered “me” piece by piece. She looked at the fragments that even the medical examiners shook their heads at, her wrinkled hands trembling violently. She could only force out three hoarse words: “Put my son… back together.” Her former comrades asked her when the funeral would be. My mother caressed my badge: “My little hero hasn’t even had his thirtieth birthday yet.” Late at night, my mother brought in her old medical examiner, a friend of many years. By dawn, my wounds were all stitched, I was dressed in my favorite suit, clean and composed, lying on my bed with my eyes closed, as if asleep. “My dear sister, we’ve done our best. At least… he can leave with dignity.” My mother carefully straightened my collar, smiling softly, but her tears fell onto my face: “My little Owen, could you… wait until after your thirtieth birthday to leave, please?” She whispered. “You said when the mission was over, you’d wear a suit one more time for Mom. Mom bought it for you, do you like it?” I lay there, eyes closed, motionless. My mother gently picked me up, just like when I was a child, letting my head rest on her shoulder. She hummed a tuneless lullaby, over and over again. 2 Evelyn Lewis hadn’t heard from me in three days. In the past, whenever Adrian and I had any friction, I would never swallow my anger; I would always stir things up, leaving her no peace. More importantly, our anniversary was tomorrow. Every year, I would prepare a unique surprise for her. But now, she hadn’t even received a single demanding call from me, which inexplicably irritated her. The villa’s guards were all former special forces, battle-hardened veterans. The assistant saying Adrian faked her orders to disband security was simply preposterous! Adrian was innocent and kind; he couldn’t even watch bloody scenes in movies, let alone joke about human lives. Why, then, did Owen have to be so mad? To frame Adrian, he would actually stake his own life! She looked at the anniversary cake that had just arrived on the table, and with a bang, swept it to the floor: “Owen Miller, when will you stop being so crazy!” My soul floated in mid-air, hearing those words. That heart, which had long stopped beating, felt as if another hole had been carved into it. I was no madman. I simply couldn’t forgive betrayal. We met during a life-or-death kidnapping; I was undercover, she was the target I protected. I took a knife for her, and she promised me a future free of darkness. She said she’d give me a home once I took off my uniform. Our relationship, forged in the crucible of blood and fire, was already inseparable. It wasn’t until that mission ended, and I retired due to injury, that she brought news. She was entering a business marriage with Adrian Harris, the scion of the influential Harris Group. Evelyn said it was her fastest move to clear obstacles in the business world. And Adrian was the most sensible, most harmless man she had ever met. She said it was merely a transaction; the person she loved was still me. That’s when our paths began to diverge. She never understood my vigilance: “It’s not that I don’t love you. It’s just Adrian is genuinely innocent; he hasn’t seen as much darkness as you have. As the stronger one, why can’t you protect him a little more?” She continued, “Besides, you’re not a police officer anymore. Why do you always treat everyone like a criminal? Your hostility is too heavy. Are you truly more suited to be the master of the Lewis household than Adrian?” I would always coldly retort: “It has nothing to do with strength. It’s just that in my world, Owen Miller’s world, there’s no room for betrayal and lies!” With that, I would kick out the psychologist she’d hired to “guide” me. In our last argument, she even accidentally shattered the portrait of my father, who died in the line of duty. She saw my reddened eyes, froze for a moment, then grabbed my hand: “Owen, look at yourself now. Is it worth it, for someone who has already passed away?” She sighed. “Adrian is just a naive young man, who innocently said a few offensive things about your father.” She looked at me, her gaze filled with disappointment. “Your gun isn’t aimed at the real enemy. Instead, because of a few idle words, you want to harm a vulnerable person who needs protection. You’re too prejudiced.” I laughed through my tears then: “Me, prejudiced?” I demanded. “Then is Adrian Harris, who said my father deserved his death, not prejudiced?” She fell silent. She pulled the trembling Adrian close, protecting him: “Knowing there’s danger and still rushing forward, in a sense, yes… it’s not very rational.” But she forgot. My father had bravely charged forward precisely to protect the peace of the land she stood on! That day, I refused Evelyn’s demand that I apologize to Adrian. Even when she threatened to freeze all my accounts, I didn’t back down. She sneered: “The biggest regret of my life is meeting a man like you, a persistent shadow who only brings trouble.” 3 The anniversary quickly arrived. She never received my call, not even a single demanding text message. Unexpectedly, she actually came to the villa herself. The entire villa was eerily silent, deathly quiet. Evelyn, familiar with the layout, arrived at the door of my bedroom. Moonlight filtered through the blinds. She could see a figure lying quietly on the bed, seemingly sound asleep. “Owen, may I come in?” No response. She gently knocked on the door: “Owen?” Still no answer. A sigh. She softened her voice: “I’ll handle things with Adrian; he’s just a business tool.” Her voice was low, almost a whisper. “After all these years, our relationship doesn’t need to be this fractured over an outsider. It’s our anniversary today; can we talk properly?” In private, she rarely spoke to me with such a negotiating tone. I still offered no response. Her hand rested on the doorknob. She hesitated for a moment, then let it fall disheartened. Turning, she leaned against the doorframe and sat down on the corridor floor, without a word. I was stunned. During that mission, I was gravely wounded, running a high fever. She had stood guard at my door just like this, never leaving, saying she was afraid I would die inside. Evelyn Lewis, what are you doing now? “Owen.” She spoke softly, a trace of weariness in her voice: “If you’re truly so against it… then I’ll listen to you.” I froze. “My feelings for him are purely utilitarian; love… there’s simply none. I didn’t expect you to protest in such an extreme way.” She paused, her voice tinged with a strange mix of resignation and hope. “If this marriage alliance causes a complete break between us, that’s not what I want.” She continued, “How about this? The engagement party is just a formality, a show for the Harris family. Next month, on your birthday, we’ll go register our marriage. I’ll make you the only recognized master of the Lewis household, alright?” Still no response. “If you don’t say anything, I’ll take that as a yes.” A long silence. Evelyn smiled, a hint of confident control in her demeanor. I had always been like this. When we had a disagreement, I would use silence to confront everything. She would then try every possible way to “solve the problem,” proposing various solutions. If I didn’t accept, I would directly interrupt her. But if I tacitly agreed, yet was too proud to reconcile immediately, I would remain silent. She would then know I had compromised. But this time, it wasn’t. “Then, it’s settled. Next month, we’ll get married.” 4 The very next day, Evelyn Lewis regretted it. She stormed into the villa with her bodyguards, holding a trembling Adrian Harris, whose lips were bruised and white shirt stained with dirt. “Owen Miller! I already agreed to your terms! Why did you still send someone to attack him?” Adrian leaned weakly against her shoulder, his voice trembling: “Evelyn… don’t blame Owen. I just lost my footing… maybe Owen’s people just wanted to scare me, it wasn’t intentional…” Evelyn held him tighter, her bloodshot eyes fixed on my bedroom door: “Owen, come out and apologize.” No response. Through the crack in the door, she could see me lying on the bed in my pajamas, turned to my side. “Owen! Don’t force me to kick down this door!” Still, dead silence. “Owen!” Evelyn completely lost control, raising her foot to kick. “Ms. Lewis, what are you doing?” My mother’s voice suddenly rang out, hoarse yet steady. She had appeared at the end of the hallway, her figure slender, but her eyes sharp as an eagle’s. “Ms. Lewis, just because your family is powerful, you think you can storm a private residence with your people and threaten my son?” Evelyn gritted her teeth, lowering her foot. “Let him come out himself; there’s still room for discussion.” Her voice was bone-chillingly cold: “After all, last night, I already agreed to marry him.” My mother looked at her as if at a monumental joke, then said, word by word: “He is dead.” “What?” 5 Evelyn Lewis frowned, looking at the bedroom. Through the crack in the door, my figure lay motionless. “Mrs. Miller, are you calling a sulking person ‘dead’?” “Believe it or not, I have no obligation to explain to you.” My mother looked at her coldly: “Worst case, you, Ms. Lewis, with your vast influence, can have this old woman of mine locked up. It would be… a good way for me to join my son.” Evelyn’s brow furrowed even deeper: “Mrs. Miller, you’re overreacting.” She looked at me in the room again: “Owen, this is your last chance.” A dead silence. “Owen, it’s just an apology. I won’t do anything to you. When did things between us need to escalate to this point?” She truly had never laid a hand on me. During my undercover career, I had suffered countless knife and gunshot wounds, but none of them hurt more than her casual word, “trouble.” “Never mind, Evelyn, it’s Adrian’s fault…” Adrian struggled to stand upright in her arms, his eyes red-rimmed but stubbornly holding back tears: “Adrian knows he shouldn’t have appeared, causing trouble for you and Owen. I’ll leave now, and I won’t bother you anymore…” With that, he offered Evelyn a desolate smile and turned to leave. Evelyn grabbed his swaying form, pulling him back into her embrace, holding him tightly. Turning, she faced my room, her voice as cold as ice: “Owen Miller.” His only response was silence. “Guards!” she roared, giving orders to the bodyguards behind her: “Go in, and smash his father’s urn… smash it!” 6 “No!!” When my father’s ashes scattered across the floor, my mother instantly went mad. “Evelyn Lewis! You beast! How dare you!” “Dying for a bunch of irrelevant people, does he even deserve to be revered?” Evelyn Lewis’s voice was icy as she kicked open the door and entered. My mother was held firmly by two bodyguards, her eyes bloodshot, her voice hoarse: “My husband was a hero! He did it to protect people like you! You can disrespect him, but you cannot insult him like this!” “If your son thinks so too, he should come out and contradict me now.” Evelyn walked to the bedside, looking down at the gray and white ash on the floor. She raised her expensive high heel and savagely stepped on it, grinding it in. “No!” My mother’s and my voice rang out simultaneously. Evelyn glanced at me on the bed, still motionless. Her eyes hardened, and she used her sharp heel to grind my father’s ashes even finer, mixing them into the carpet fibers! “Father!!” I rushed forward. But I could only pass through her cold body, watching her ruthlessly trample my father. I was just a soul. I couldn’t protect anything. Seeing me on the bed, still motionless, Evelyn, her eyes red, straightened up and scraped her heel across the carpet: “Even like this, you still won’t come out and see me?” She stared fiercely at me on the bed, then turned. Her gaze seemed to say: Owen Miller, how unyielding is your pride? 7 After leaving with Adrian Harris, Evelyn Lewis’s mind was fixated on my motionless figure. “Does he hate me that much? Preferring his own father’s ashes to be trampled under my heel rather than coming out to look at me!” She swept the crystal decanter crashing to the floor. The staff in the villa were terrified, holding their breath. Her fist slammed onto the bar, knuckles white: “Owen Miller, just because of a business marriage, you insist on tormenting me this way, is that it?” “Send word.” She spoke, her voice hoarse: “Adrian’s and my engagement party will proceed as scheduled.” She paused. “At the banquet, Owen will be my escort, and will personally adjust Adrian’s tie.” “Yes, Ms. Lewis!” Her chest heaved violently. From childhood, she had never pushed him this far. This time, she would use the harshest method to make him surrender! The news quickly reached the villa. My mother, dressed in black, listened to the assistant’s message with an expressionless face. Upon learning this, the inexplicable anger in Evelyn’s heart slightly subsided: “Still willing to listen to messages, that means he hasn’t completely lost his mind.” She asked the assistant: “What was Owen’s reaction to me smashing his father’s urn?” “Ms. Lewis… I didn’t see Mr. Miller himself.” Evelyn rubbed her brow: “Still the same stubborn silence.” 8 My thirtieth birthday. It was also Evelyn Lewis and Adrian Harris’s engagement party. Evelyn Lewis’s motorcade pulled up to the villa, and she came personally to demand that I fulfill my duty as her “escort.” My mother smoothed the last stray strand of my hair, embracing my cold body one last time: “My little hero, happy birthday.” When Evelyn walked in, I was sitting quietly in a wheelchair, wearing the custom suit she had sent. It was as if I was truly waiting for her to push me out the door. “I knew it; you were just playing games with me.” She let out a sigh of relief, her tone laced with an unconscious blend of ease and exasperation. “From childhood, you’ve only ever used this method to test my limits.” She reached out, intending to cup my chin as she used to. But her fingertips met only coldness and stiffness. This touch… it was wrong. “Owen?” She grabbed my hand, which rested on the armrest. It was cold… hard… “The hour has come! Send the hero’s soul home!” My mother’s voice suddenly rang out. The curtains in the living room, previously drawn, were yanked open with a swish. It was an entire wall draped with white chrysanthemums, a memorial. In the center of the living room, my mother shed her jacket, revealing a traditional funeral garment underneath. The old butler and my comrades, who had been waiting outside, also solemnly donned black armbands. “Lead the way! Farewell to the martyr, Owen Miller!”

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The year I turned eighteen, my brothers adopted a new sister. And that’s when I, with my clouded mind, became a nuisance. If her painting got dirty, it was my fault. If she caught a cold, it was my fault. Later, when she was kidnapped because of me, my brothers finally broke. “Skylar, please, for our sakes, will you die for Lily?” I looked up, seeing the redness in my brothers’ eyes, and simply said, “Okay.” So, under the cloak of night, I secretly slipped away, exchanging myself for Lily from the kidnappers. And I was thrown into the churning ocean. I thought I would die, but I didn’t. Instead, I met Lucas Vance. He never once scorned my simple mind, treating me like precious porcelain. I truly believed he was different from my brothers. But then, one rainy night, six years later, Lucas carried a girl, soaking wet, through the door. I overheard whispers that she was his first love, the one who had framed him, landed him in prison, and then vanished abroad without a trace. … My simple mind didn’t grasp the full meaning of this, nor could I decipher the pity and sympathy in others’ eyes. I only saw Lucas and the girl, drenched to the bone, and rushed over with a towel, my worry etched on my face. “Dry off… cold… medicine… bitter…” The next second, my hand was harshly slapped away, the towel fluttering to the floor. Lucas, who had never once raised his voice at me in six years, now looked at me with a chilling, savage gaze. He spoke, his voice a low warning, “Get away from her. Don’t touch her!” I froze, stunned, my hand unconsciously touching my bleeding knuckles. I looked up, meeting Lucas’s eyes, which were filled with nothing but the girl in his arms. A wave of confusion washed over me. It felt like… I was about to lose my home again. Immediately, the household doctors, already on standby, swarmed in. They habitually, anxiously, surrounded me. One was about to bend down to bandage my hand when Lucas’s furious reprimand cut through the air. “Are you all blind? I called you here to save Eve, not to fuss over some idiot!” The doctors froze, and even the servants, secretly watching the drama unfold, were stunned. For the past six years, the word “idiot” had been strictly forbidden in the mansion. Lucas would go ballistic if anyone ever dared to call me that. There was a time when a maid, feigning kindness in front of him, would privately sneer and curse at me behind his back. She called me an idiot, a shameless parasite. She accused me of clinging to Lucas, usurping Mrs. Vance’s position, and making him a laughingstock among his business associates. During that period, my arms and thighs, hidden beneath my clothes, were often intentionally bruised by her, old injuries overlapping with new ones. But I never dared to tell Lucas. I feared he would lash out with a knife, just like he had when we were vagrants, ready to fight anyone who wronged me. Injuries hurt. I didn’t want Lucas to hurt, nor did I want him to be misunderstood as mentally unstable because of me. So, even when the pain made it impossible to eat or sleep, I endured it. But then, Lucas eventually discovered the wounds. He raged, a furious storm, and swiftly dealt with the maid. Yet, that very night, he held me, weeping heartbrokenly, his voice choked beyond recognition. “Skylar, next time, don’t keep secrets from me, okay?” “Don’t be so cruel to me. Don’t shut me out of your world.” “Can you try to trust me a little more, please?” Lucas’s crying face looked strangely familiar. In a daze, I reached out to wipe his tears, comforting him anxiously. “Don’t cry, don’t cry, brother. It’s Skylar’s fault; Skylar will change, she will change…” Lucas froze. The next second, his arms tightened around me, his voice seeming to constrict with the movement. He said, “Skylar, I’m Lucas Vance, not your brother. You’ve mistaken me again.” Lost, I snapped back to reality, then guiltily lowered my head, accustomed to apologizing to him. “I’m sorry.” That night, Lucas, distraught by my mistake and my undisclosed injury, held me, stewing in quiet anger all night. But the next morning, he was back to his routine, cooking for me, waking me up, and gently wiping my face. He even hired a professional medical team to stay at the villa, solely for my check-ups and treatments. The servants in the villa had all been replaced, each personally interviewed and hired by him. So, Lucas’s deep regard and care for me were well-known to these doctors and servants. Which made it all the more shocking that after six years, the first person to call me an idiot was Lucas himself – the husband who had cherished me as if I were a fragile treasure. But everyone’s stunned silence lasted only a moment. After all, this villa was Lucas Vance’s domain. He now cared for the girl in his arms, so the doctors abandoned me and turned their attention to her. I blew on my throbbing hand, watching the scene unfold before me, a familiar, hazy feeling washing over me. My nose stung, and a warmth pricked my eyes. It truly was… so similar! So similar to when my brothers had all rallied around their adopted sister. They hadn’t seen the scalding on my leg, nor the tears in my eyes. They’d only been angry, exhausted, scolding me, questioning if I could be more sensible, and stop causing them so much trouble. A sudden dread seized me. If my brothers could treat me like that, what about Lucas? Would he too start to grow impatient with me? Disgusted by my foolishness, perhaps even screaming at me, like my brothers had, asking why I wouldn’t just die? My vision blurred. I blinked, and a tear splashed onto the carpet with a soft pat. I looked down, staring blankly at it for a long time. When I looked up again, the living room was empty. Lucas had carried the girl back to our bedroom. Fearing I would anger Lucas again, fearing I would hear him tell me to get lost, I didn’t dare go upstairs. Instead, I curled up on the sofa. It was strange. I felt cold, yet my body seemed to be burning up. My consciousness drifted, and I thought I heard footsteps. I looked up, hopeful, thinking Lucas had finally remembered me. But what greeted my eyes was a girl with disheveled hair, wearing my pajamas. My gaze fell upon her exposed neck, and I froze. It was covered in mottled red marks, thick and numerous, some even bearing teeth marks that had broken the skin. The girl shyly adjusted her clothes, her voice laced with embarrassed annoyance. “Oh, I’m sorry. Lucas was… a bit too eager. Please excuse me for this display.” After a brief pause, she met my gaze and uttered the familiar title: “Mrs. Vance.” I froze, thinking Lucas had, as before, lost his temper and hurt someone. Fearing the girl’s anger, I dragged my weak body, rummaging through boxes and drawers in a corner of the living room. Then, under the girl’s curious gaze, I carefully retrieved several adhesive bandages. “Bleeding, put these on, won’t hurt anymore!” “Don’t… don’t scold Lucas, don’t be angry, okay?” The girl’s face initially registered surprise, then, after a moment, she let out a sudden giggle, her eyes taking on a strange glint. “Outside, they make you out to be some kind of legend, saying you have Lucas Vance wrapped around your finger! I thought you were truly formidable!” “Turns out, you’re just an idiot!” I froze, pressing my lips together, a deep ache in my chest. Actually, I never used to care about these things. When others called me an idiot or a fool, I’d simply pretend not to hear, smiling foolishly up at them. But Lucas cared profoundly. So, through his repeated defense of me, I gradually learned to feel anger. I looked up at the woman, my voice serious. “Apologize. Don’t call me an idiot.” A sneer flickered across the girl’s face as she slowly approached me. The next second, she raised the steaming cup of water in her hand, her expression menacing, and splashed it towards me. The scalding water that had once burned my calf still ached terribly whenever the weather turned bad. So, instinctively, I reached out and pushed the woman. A sharp cry of pain suddenly echoed in the air. “Ah! My hand… it hurts so much… Lucas, boohoo… it hurts…” Before I could even comprehend what had happened, a sharp, stinging pain erupted on my face. The resounding slap reverberated through the empty living room. My head snapped to the side, and I stood frozen. I looked up, meeting Lucas’s cold eyes, his right hand still raised. My ears rang, and a wave of nausea swept over me. I felt so awful, so awful, but Lucas, who had always been so kind to me, didn’t notice a thing. He bent down, carefully lifting Eve onto the sofa. Then, he turned, his gaze cold as he asked, “Skylar, have I been too lenient with you?” “Come here, apologize to Eve.” Six years ago, I constantly made mistakes in front of my adopted sister. When paint got into my eyes and blurred my vision, causing me to accidentally knock over her painting, I had to apologize. When my simple mind embarrassed her in front of her classmates by picking her up from school, I had to apologize. When I somehow mistakenly wore her dress at a birthday party, making her cry, I had to apologize. So, when I rescued a dying Lucas from the roadside, I instinctively apologized. If he coughed, I apologized. If he was injured, I apologized. Even when he was angry and sad because I called out for my brother in a dream, I apologized. It was Lucas, again and again, holding me, correcting me, saying, “My Skylar is the best Skylar in the world; you don’t need to apologize to anyone.” For six years, Lucas corrected me nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine times, curing my habit of apologizing to everyone. And now, it was Lucas who said, “Skylar, don’t be temperamental. Apologize to Eve.” I looked up, staring at Lucas for a long time. So long that he started to look uncomfortable, wanting to avert his gaze. Then, slowly, I walked to Eve. I bowed, my head low, and said, “I’m sorry, I made a mistake!” I’m sorry! Skylar made another mistake. Perhaps I bowed too quickly. When I straightened up, my vision swam. I seemed to hear Lucas’s startled cry. The next instant, my body went limp, and I lost consciousness. … “My Skylar! The cutest, most beautiful child in the world, the apple of her brothers’ eyes, their precious treasure.” “Don’t be scared, don’t be scared, it’s not our Skylar’s fault. Big brothers will take our Skylar to buy cake to calm down.” “Skylar, come here, let your brothers hug you…” Joyful, exuberant scenes flashed through my consciousness, frame by frame. Not far away, my older brothers, Caleb and Adrian, stood with open arms, their faces wearing my familiar smiles, seemingly waiting for a hug. So, I took heavy steps and ran towards them. Caleb, Adrian, Skylar had such a terrible, terrible nightmare… But before I could reach them, the illusion shattered instantly. The next second, a girl appeared between Caleb and Adrian. They smiled, introducing her to me. “Skylar, this is Lily, your sister. Will you let her play with you from now on, okay?” “Skylar, don’t bully Lily…” “Skylar, apologize to Lily…” “Why, why wasn’t it you who was kidnapped?” “Why wasn’t it you who was threatened to die, but innocent Lily?” “Skylar, we beg you, just die? Will you just die? Please don’t cause us any more trouble!” One moment, it was Caleb and Adrian’s hateful, red eyes. But the next, I was being held between my two brothers, sitting on the eaves. They were smiling, pointing at the stars in the sky for me, their voices light with joy: “Caleb and Adrian, we’ll always be Skylar’s guardian stars.” Brothers, do guardian stars also fall? I called out for my brothers, crying as I woke up, meeting Lucas’s shadowed eyes. “Skylar, you… called out for your brother in your sleep again…” He raised a hand, reaching towards me. The next instant, I closed my eyes, recoiling sharply, instinctively adopting a defensive posture. Lucas froze, and I dared not move. After a long silence, I heard his hoarse, strained voice, asking in disbelief, “Skylar, are you… afraid of me?” Seeing his expression, I instinctively apologized. “I’m sorry…” But the words only seemed to deepen the sorrow on Lucas’s face. He spoke, his voice thick, “Skylar, don’t apologize to me.” I remained silent. Lucas glanced at me, closed his eyes for a moment, then, with great effort, continued, “Skylar, I’m sorry. Last night, finding out the truth so abruptly, I lost control and hurt you.” “I’ve already… punished myself.” “So, Skylar, please don’t be afraid of me, okay?” As he spoke, Lucas stripped off his shirt, revealing a back covered in whip marks. My eyes widened. I sat up abruptly, tears streaming down my face in distress. “Hurts… hurts… no, no punishment…” Lucas smiled nonchalantly, reaching out to grasp my hand, his eyes sparkling. “I knew it. Skylar cares about me most; she wouldn’t want me to hurt.” “So, Skylar, will you forgive me, okay?” My mind was entirely filled with the sight of Lucas’s injured back. Hearing his words, I nodded frantically, wanting him to apply medicine. But before I could speak, Lucas’s grip on my hand tightened involuntarily. When he spoke again, his words were different. “Eve and I are childhood sweethearts.” “We went to the same elementary school, the same middle school, and then the same university, from childhood to adulthood.” “We dated for seven years, got engaged at eighteen, and planned to get married right after graduation.” “But then, my family ran into trouble, and Eve slandered me, landed me in prison, and left without a word.” “I used to wish she would die, but this time, when the Thorne family fell on hard times, she came back. That’s when I found out.” “Everything she did back then was forced by her family. She’s had a truly hard life all these years.” Lucas spoke with such intensity that it was impossible to interrupt him. So, I remained silent, blinking, listening to him recount this past I knew nothing about. When he spoke of Eve’s youthful antics, his lips curved into a soft smile. When he mentioned Eve’s suffering abroad, his brow furrowed with tenderness. By the end of his story, his long-held hatred had transformed back into his initial, pure love. Finally, Lucas concluded, saying, “Skylar, I can’t let Eve down. She’s suffered so much all these years.” I nodded, cooperatively asking, “What do you need me to do?”

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While vacationing in Saint Augustine with my dad, my wife’s male assistant suddenly sent me a photo of a man stripped naked and covered in blood. It was accompanied by an arrogant voice message: “Tom Sterling, do you country folk just love to take advantage of things?” “Ms. Harper just bought this villa, and you let your old man, your deadbeat dad, crash there? As Ms. Harper’s assistant, I have every right to protect her property from intrusion.” “This is what happens when your dad trespasses into the villa!” I froze, then looked across at my dad, who was sitting there perfectly fine. I then zoomed in on the photo Tom had sent. My heart plummeted. Isn’t that my father-in-law? I immediately called Tom Barclay. “Tom, have you lost your mind? That’s Seraphina Harper’s father!” Tom scoffed dismissively, “Ms. Harper said, your dad is your dad, and her dad is her dad. She never considered your dad family.” 1 Tom hung up immediately after that. I didn’t dare delay, quickly booking a flight for that day and rushing to the airport. At the same time, I dialed Seraphina’s number. “Seraphina, Dad was beaten by Tom at your new villa, you need to go there…” “Alright, I know what you’re going to say.” Seraphina cut me off, her voice chilling. “I think Tom’s lesson was appropriate.” I was stunned. “What did you say?” Seraphina sighed, sounding a bit exasperated. “Tom, even though we’re married, your dad should have some basic boundaries. He can’t just take advantage of my being your wife, always trying to get something for free or seek small benefits from me.” I was getting agitated. “You’ve got it all wrong, he’s your…” “Enough!” Seraphina snapped impatiently. “So what if he’s my father-in-law? I’m not obligated to indulge his greed.” “Today he dares to freeload at my villa, tomorrow he’ll just come to my company demanding money.” “Tom disciplining him, making him learn his lesson, is also for his own good.” Seraphina’s words instantly chilled my frantic heart. My dad might be a countryman, but he had lived a life of kindness and simplicity, never taking advantage of anyone, and for Seraphina, he had only given, never asked. When Seraphina’s company was starting up and she was short on funds, my dad had unhesitatingly pulled out all the retirement savings he had accumulated his entire life. Knowing she had a weak stomach, no matter how busy he was, my dad would always find time to make various stomach-nourishing foods, traveling miles to deliver them to the city. Yet, such a simple, kind old man who treated her like his own child, was, in Seraphina’s words, a greedy leech with no boundaries who deserved to be taught a lesson. My heart ached with desolation, and my voice grew colder. “Seraphina, Dad seems seriously hurt. I advise you to quickly send someone to take him to the hospital. After all, it wasn’t easy for him to raise you.” Seraphina immediately flared up. “Tom, are you sick? When has your dad ever raised me?” “No wonder Tom couldn’t help but teach your dad a lesson. With a son like you, he deserves the beating!” “My dad is coming back from overseas soon. I still need to prepare a surprise and a welcome party for him. I don’t have time for your messy, petty problems.” With that, Seraphina hung up. On the way, I saw Seraphina had posted an update. Just a short sentence: “My father is returning home. I can finally show him my filial devotion properly.” I silently liked the post. A morbid curiosity arose in me. What would her devoted reaction be when she realized her dad was beaten black and blue by Tom? By evening, I arrived at Seraphina’s hilltop villa. The villa’s courtyard was adorned with flowers and balloons, and a magnificent golden archway proudly displayed large letters: “Welcome Home, Dearest Father!” Beneath the arch, all of Seraphina’s family and friends were gathered. Seeing me, everyone’s expressions turned complex. As I stepped into the courtyard, I noticed a body covered by a white sheet, tucked away in a corner of the yard! Seeing the body, my entire being stiffened. Just then, Tom stepped forward, feigning regret, “Tom, I just meant to teach your dad a simple lesson. Who knew he was so fragile? He suddenly had a heart attack and died on the spot.” “You won’t blame me, will you?” So, my father-in-law was murdered by Tom? My heart pounded wildly. I was about to speak. But Seraphina stepped forward, wrapping an arm around Tom, and gently comforted him, “Tom, this isn’t your fault. You were just looking out for me.” “Blame it on his dad for being short-lived and always causing trouble.” “It’s already merciful that you haven’t demanded emotional damages from Tom.” With that, Seraphina glared at me with a dark expression, her voice chilling, “Tom, look at what your dad has done.” “Dying in my villa not only frightened Tom but also cast a shadow over the welcome party I specially prepared for my dad.” Seeing her righteous indignation, I found it utterly laughable. I couldn’t help but point at the covered body and say seriously, “Seraphina, I suggest you lift that white sheet and take a good look at who’s actually dead!” Seraphina frowned. “Isn’t it your dad? What’s there to see?” “I don’t want to pollute my eyes!” My sister-in-law, Chloe, also chimed in with disdain, “My sister bought this villa especially to give to our dad when he came back. He hasn’t even lived in it yet, and your dad comes to freeload first? How disgusting?” “If you ask me, he deserved to die. It saves him from embarrassing us again in the future.” “Do you really think that just because you married into the Harper family, your whole family gets to ride on our coattails?” 2 Seeing Seraphina and Chloe both siding with Tom, Seraphina’s relatives and friends also quickly took sides, declaring their positions: “Exactly! Such a freeloading father-in-law is a parasite on society even when alive.” “This time he embarrassed us among family. If he embarrasses us outside next time, who knows how others will mock the Harper family.” “Exactly. Anyone who doesn’t know us might think the Harpers are raising a family of beggars.” “So, Assistant Barclay handled this perfectly. It’s a permanent solution for the Harper family.” In an instant, everyone was praising Tom. It was as if the person who died by his hand was a heinous criminal, and he, Tom, was a great hero who had rid the Harper family of evil. Tom glanced at me with a smug look, then, the next second, he timidly said to Seraphina, “But Ms. Harper, the deceased is Tom’s father, after all. What if he causes trouble for me?” Seraphina looked at him with tender affection. “Don’t worry. With me here, no one can harm you.” With that, Seraphina immediately had someone draft a letter of understanding and handed it to me. “Tom, your dad was in the wrong first. His death is just bad luck, not Tom’s fault.” “For the sake of our marriage, I won’t pursue the matter of your dad trespassing in my villa and dying here, affecting my father’s welcome party.” “But you must sign this letter of understanding, guaranteeing that this matter ends here and you won’t cause trouble for Tom.” Chloe also stood with her arms crossed, condescendingly stating, “Tom, your dad brought this upon himself. Don’t even think about pinning anything on Tom. Be smart and sign the letter of understanding.” The two sisters imperiously ordered me, waiting for me to sign the letter of understanding. But I pushed the letter back to them, calmly saying, “If anyone’s signing, it’s you. I’m not qualified.” 3 Seraphina, assuming I was refusing, immediately snapped, “Tom, don’t be ungrateful.” “Your dad was just an unemployed drifter, completely worthless in this world. Tom is still young, with a bright future ahead of him. Are you really going to ruin him for a dead man?” Chloe also frowned, echoing, “Exactly! Your dad was just a waste of food when he was alive. Tom has done society a favor.” “You don’t even thank him, and you’re still thinking of extorting him?” I calmly explained, “You’ve got it wrong. What I mean is, the person who died is your father. This letter of understanding can only be signed by you.” Chloe, hearing me say this, instantly became agitated. “Tom, are you insane? How dare you say such unlucky things and curse my dad at his welcome party?” Seraphina was also enraged. “Tom, it seems I’ve spoiled you too much all these years, letting you become so arrogant, you don’t even know how to show basic respect to your elders.” “My dad is the most important person in my life. I won’t allow anyone to disrespect him, not even if you’re my husband!” With that, she suddenly turned and barked at a bodyguard nearby, “Go throw that old man’s body into the cesspit!” The bodyguard hesitated, glancing at me. “Ms. Harper, this… this might not be appropriate?” Seraphina sternly said, “He won’t sign the letter of understanding, won’t he? He likes to curse my dad, doesn’t he? Today I’ll make him realize the consequences of disrespecting my dad!” “Do as I say! Any problems, I’ll take responsibility!” Seeing Seraphina’s anger, the bodyguard dared not disobey and immediately went to carry out the order. The guests on site shook their heads repeatedly, murmuring among themselves: “Tom has truly touched Ms. Harper’s raw nerve this time.” “Exactly. Ms. Harper’s mother passed away early; Mr. Harper raised the two sisters alone. Everyone knows Ms. Harper cares most about Mr. Harper. This Tom is truly insane, cursing Mr. Harper at his welcome party!” “No wonder his dad died. With such an ungrateful son, what parent could live long?” The chatter of the crowd was jarring but didn’t affect me in the slightest. I ignored everyone, looking at Seraphina, and said, word by word, “Seraphina, are you sure you want to go this far?” Seraphina looked down at me from her superior position, her voice sharp. “Tom, this is all your own doing.” “Your dad’s death is entirely because he was shameless and loved petty advantages.” “You shouldn’t, because of this, repeatedly curse and bring bad luck to my dad at his welcome party.” “If you ask me, your dad deserved to die early, having an ungrateful, disrespectful son like you!” The words had barely left her mouth. My dad suddenly walked into the villa, looking at Seraphina, and asked in confusion, “Who died?”

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“What’s one plus one?” On the highway, my brother, Jayden, suddenly asked. I hesitated, my voice barely a whisper, “It’s…” Before I could finish, Mom, Elaine, flew into a rage and slapped me across the face: “I’m an Ivy League graduate, your dad’s a Ph.D. Your brother Jayden is a math genius who aces every test, yet you, you can’t even answer one plus one without hesitating, you good-for-nothing!” My face stung with a burning pain, and my heart was filled with terror. I cried, shaking my head, “Mom, please don’t despise me, I’m not worthless… it’s what Jayden said…” But Mom wouldn’t listen. She simply shoved me out of the car: “A good-for-nothing who only inherited inferior genes doesn’t deserve to ride with us! Get out and walk back!” I desperately chased after the car, but Dad, David, and Mom drove off with Jayden. A massive truck came roaring up behind me, and suddenly, my body felt light, ethereal. I caught up to Mom and Dad’s car: “Mom, Dad, I’m not worthless! My teacher says I’m a little artist, she says everyone has their own strengths!” 1 “A child’s stride is usually between one and one and a half feet.” “I’ve calculated it for you. From here to the next rest stop, it’s only three thousand steps.” “This is Mom’s punishment for you, but it’s also to unlock your potential, to help you, the less bright one, fit into our family.” Mom finished, then turned and got into the car without a moment’s hesitation. I rushed after her: “Mom, don’t leave me!” The car window slowly lowered, and Mom tossed out a small camera from inside: “This is the latest cloud-sync model. It’ll record you, so don’t get lazy and skip counting.” “Be careful on the road, only walk on the emergency lane.” Mom left her final instruction, and the car window immediately rolled up. I watched helplessly as the car drove away. The taillights grew dimmer and dimmer, until they vanished completely into the darkness. “Mom, it’s so cold.” The weather forecast said it was ten degrees Fahrenheit below zero today. But Mom had forgotten to give me my jacket. I dejectedly held up the small camera, speaking to its tiny lens: “Mom, I’m not worthless.” “I’m the best artist in my class. My teacher says that’s called having different strengths.” But the lens wouldn’t speak. I sniffled, holding back tears, and began to carefully count my steps. “1, 2, 3…” But it was so cold, my breath seemed to turn to ice. I counted slower and slower, my steps growing smaller. By the time I reached a thousand, my legs felt as heavy as two large stones. My foot caught on something, and I fell directly to my knees, a sharp, piercing pain shooting through them. My whole body ached. I cried, apologizing to the tiny lens: “Mom, I’m sorry. Rose is really hurting so much, I’ll just rest for ten counts.” Our family often played number games; success brought rewards, failure brought penalties. Jayden always got the rewards. I always failed, and Mom would punish me for ten counts. Ten counts of slapping my hand, ten counts of spanking my bottom. Before, ten counts felt so slow; now, they felt incredibly fast. When the ten counts were up, I struggled to get up from the ground. I moved my legs inch by painful inch; the blood from my knees soaked through my pants, and every step was agony. I gritted my teeth, knowing that just one thousand nine hundred seventy more steps would take me home to Grandma and Grandpa. They were waiting for us for Christmas dinner. But my body grew colder and colder. Large, snowy white flowers seemed to bloom before my eyes, and I cried into the camera: “Mom, I think I can’t walk anymore.” Mom wouldn’t answer me. But a blinding light suddenly appeared behind me; I had unknowingly wandered into the middle of the road. When I woke up, I suddenly realized my body felt lighter. 2 Feeling lighter, I quickly caught up with Mom and Dad. They were resting at a service station, their table laden with delicious food. Mom was coaxing Jayden to drink some hot water. “It’s too cold today, Jayden, you have to drink some hot water.” Jayden reluctantly took a sip, and I quietly swallowed, wishing I could have some hot water too. “Mom, I want some too.” I pleaded timidly, but Mom remained unmoved. She fed Jayden water, gave him fruit. She seemed not to see me at all. I stifled the ache in my heart. Just then, Dad, David, suddenly checked his watch, his brow furrowed: “We’ve been waiting at the service station for an hour. Where’s Rose? Nothing’s happened to her, has it?” My heart lifted. Dad, he finally remembered me. “Dad, I met a really big truck, I was too tired to run, and that truck…” I wanted to tell Dad loudly. But Mom, Elaine, impatiently cut in: “David, it’s only two miles, it’s not that far.” “If it were Jayden, he’d have run it already.” “She’s always been lazy and manipulative since she was little. This is a good chance for her to get some exercise!” Jayden nodded. He wasn’t just good at math; he was athletic too. “Sister is already clumsy; what if she doesn’t exercise and ends up a sickly mess?” He snorted. Jayden often teased me. This time in the car, he suddenly asked me a math question. He just wanted to make fun of how dumb I was. Before, I’d always just foolishly grinned at him, never minding, because he was my big brother. But this time, I was a little angry. I yelled at him, “I am not! Jayden is mean!” If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have been kicked out of the car. Dad hesitated. He looked at the heavy fog outside, then his brows gradually relaxed. “Two miles, even an adult takes 20 to 35 minutes to walk. Considering external factors, it’s normal for a child to be a little late.” Hearing Dad’s words, my heart felt heavy. I’d always been prone to illness, gasping for breath after just a few steps, let alone walking three thousand steps in such cold weather. But they seemed to forget that. They decided to wait a little longer. This wait stretched for another hour, until Jayden grew impatient. He started complaining, urging Dad to drive. Just then, a couple walked in, their conversation interrupting Jayden. “We specifically left at dawn, but still got stuck in traffic.” “That car accident earlier was truly gruesome. They said the person’s brains were splattered, and it was a child…” Hearing this, Dad trembled violently. Mom also looked a little panicked. She quickly pulled out her phone, sighing in relief when she saw the small moving dot on the screen. The next second, she grew angry again: “The camera I bought not only records but also tracks location.” “Look, she’s moving fast right now, she’s definitely playing the victim and got a ride. She’s so disobedient!” “We’re not waiting for her. We’re leaving now. If she’s so clever, she can have that person drop her home!” Hearing that, I instantly grew anxious. “Mom, no, it’s not that.” “I didn’t, that was an ambulance, not a ride I found.” But Mom couldn’t hear me. She bundled Jayden up tightly, then pulled Dad into the car for home. I cried, following Mom and Dad’s car. The ambulance siren seemed to get closer, but Dad floored the gas and sped off the highway. The car quickly arrived at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. I sadly lunged towards them, but passed right through. 3 Christmas was my favorite time of year; I got to see Grandma and Grandpa. But now I was so sad, tears streaming non-stop. Grandma rushed to the back seat, first greeting Jayden. Then she peered into the car: “Where’s Rose? Why isn’t Rose in the car?” “Grandma, I’m here.” I choked, pulling on Grandma’s sleeve. Mom, Elaine, impatiently said: “She came back in someone else’s car.” “Alright, it’s freezing outside. Jayden’s been in the car so long and is cold and hungry. Have some sympathy for your oldest grandson.” Mom’s words instantly silenced Grandma. She glanced at Dad, David, saw him nod, sighed, and didn’t ask any more questions. “Alright, alright, I’ve made dumplings, I’ll boil some for you all.” Bowls of steaming hot dumplings were brought to the table. The aroma seemed to waft directly to me. Mom, Dad, and Jayden ate heartily, but I held my stomach, on the verge of tears. Walking for an hour had left me exhausted and starving. What I wanted most was Grandma’s homemade dumplings. “Rose loves dumplings the most. I even saved some especially for her. I’ll cook them when she gets here.” Grandma said with a smile, standing up and looking out the window again and again. I sniffled. I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore. After everyone finished eating, and Grandma cleared the table, she saw I still hadn’t arrived and finally couldn’t resist asking Mom and Dad about me again: “How come Rose still isn’t here? Whose car did she come back in? Why didn’t you all come together?” The living room instantly fell silent. Dad hesitated: “Soon, she should be here soon.” His hesitant answer made Grandma and Grandpa confused. “Whose car is Rose in? Why don’t you just call and ask? She’s been gone so long, don’t you two, as parents, worry at all?” Dad pushed up his glasses, but looked at Mom. Mom angrily pulled out her phone. Grandma and Grandpa craned their necks expectantly, and I looked too. She frowned, opened her phone, saw the small camera’s location was not far from Grandma and Grandpa’s house, and said: “Alright, she’ll be back in five minutes.” Grandma and Grandpa wanted to see more, but Mom immediately closed her phone. “Now that we’re back, I need to talk to you two elders seriously.” “Rose is about to start elementary school. You can’t keep spoiling her like this; it’s very detrimental to her future growth.” Mom’s tone was very stern. I fearfully hid behind Grandma. Mom loved smart children. She always spoke to Jayden with gentle words. But I was too clumsy. Mom always got very angry. Once, I got 59 on a math test, and she was so mad she slapped me. “Are you even my biological child? How can you be so dense?” “How can you get such simple addition and subtraction wrong? What’s in your head?” To make me good at math, she fiercely designed a study plan for me. A year of math lessons, doing Jayden’s advanced math problems. If I didn’t learn, I’d get my palm smacked. Grandma couldn’t bear to watch and would speak up for me. This time too, she whispered: “Elaine, I think teaching a child shouldn’t be too forced, Rose is still small…” Before she could finish, Mom sharply interrupted her: “Mom, do you know that Rose still hesitates when asked what 1+1 equals?” “When Jayden was her age, he was already doing third-grade math problems!” Grandma’s face turned pale from being cut off. In the corner, Jayden was secretly laughing. I rushed forward anxiously: “Mom, it’s not that I hesitated, it’s Jayden!” “Jayden said, 1+1 doesn’t equal 2!” Although I didn’t understand, when Jayden asked again, I still hesitated. But Mom didn’t hear my explanation. “Look, is this Rose’s jacket?”

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1 My husband, Matt, had a heavy smoking habit. I was about to post online for advice to help him quit when I stumbled upon a question in a “quit smoking” thread: 【Under what circumstances would a husband truly want to quit smoking?】 The top reply had a million likes. 【If your husband truly loves you, he wouldn’t smoke at all.】 【My husband and I are both doctors, we know smoking is harmful, especially after having children, he wouldn’t even touch a cigarette.】 The comment section was filled with angry replies. 【If your husband doesn’t smoke, why are you replying to this thread? Maybe he smokes in secret?】 To shut down the online critics, the original poster shared a family photo of her and her husband and child. 【Our child’s health indicators are all normal, thanks for your concern. But even if he did smoke, what then? On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, he comes home from his shift without even a whiff of smoke. Isn’t that a testament to his love?】 The angry comments continued, but I kept zooming in on that family photo. My blood ran cold. The man who didn’t smoke on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and the man addicted to cigarettes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, were both my husband, Matt Vincent. … I compulsively zoomed in on the family photo, staring at that familiar face. He would be off work in twenty minutes, and then I could share the good news I had for him. I gently touched my slightly bulging belly, my heart feeling as if it were being shredded by a knife. Matt’s last angry message to me was still on my phone: 【I told you I wouldn’t quit smoking. No matter how much you try to convince me, it’s useless. Don’t be so selfish.】 On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, when he was with me, he could puff away to his heart’s content. But on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, when he was with Susan Thorne, he was a perfect family man, not even smelling of smoke. For five years, this apartment had been permeated with the smell of smoke. Every day I had to deep clean, using bottle after bottle of air freshener. It was still so foul. It even made me nauseous. I took a cab to the hospital, resolute in my decision to have an abortion. “The baby’s father is a heavy smoker; this child won’t be healthy either.” The doctor nodded helplessly, mentioning casually: “Dr. Vincent, the head of the department next door, hasn’t touched a single cigarette since his wife had their child. Responsible husbands like that are rare these days.” He joked: “If you marry a doctor, you won’t have these concerns.” I almost laughed and cried at the same time. Yes, the doctor I married was an “addict,” but in everyone else’s eyes, he was a good, responsible man. While waiting for my appointment, Matt walked toward me, followed by a large group of interns. His expression was a bit awkward: “I said too much yesterday. Don’t take it to heart.” I didn’t hear what he said. All I noticed was the refreshing mint scent emanating from him. I once carefully selected expensive mint candies, hoping he would use them as a substitute for smoking. He immediately scattered them across the floor, saying he hated the smell of mint. I glanced at my phone and understood. It was Thursday. He was on call and wouldn’t be coming home. He would be going to his other home. I forced an ugly smile. Matt cautiously looked around before patting my shoulder, “Go home.” I, his lawfully wedded wife, felt like a clandestine mistress. He turned and walked away. He accidentally stepped on my prenatal test results, which I had just dropped, and frowned in distaste: “You should be more observant. If there’s trash on the floor, you should pick it up and throw it away immediately.” An intern crumpled it into a ball and tossed it into the trash can. My heart ached. Presumably, in his mind, both the baby and I were just trash that could be discarded at will. In that case, I didn’t want this man anymore either. After getting the appointment for my abortion in three days, I called a number I hadn’t contacted in five years: “You said you’d always keep a position open for me. Does that still hold true?” 2 Back home, the greasy smell of smoke that hit me instantly confirmed my exhaustion. Everyone in my circle knew. As a law student, I had quit my job to support Matt’s preparations for his medical professorship exams. He couldn’t bear for me to abandon my dreams, so he married me early, against his family’s wishes. Even during his busy and tiring hospital internship, he would bring me little surprises after his late-night shifts. He poured everything into being a devoted husband. But later, he often said the hospital’s evaluations put too much pressure on him, and he started smoking pack after pack. From the balcony to the bathroom, and eventually, he’d just light up directly in the bedroom. I pleaded with him countless times to quit, even for the sake of trying for a baby. But all I got was his hysteria. “Of course you wouldn’t understand! You spend all day at home, eating and drinking, going shopping when you’re bored. What stress could you possibly have?!” I, once an accomplished lawyer who could debate a room full of people, was countless times rendered speechless by his rebuttals. But he probably forgot that I was trapped in this smoke-infused apartment because of him. In the end, he found a mistress, a doctor with a dazzling career, to bear his children. After packing my bags to leave, I clicked on Susan Thorne’s profile. Her latest video was marked “Visible only to me.” On a messy bedsheet, Matt lay panting, his face filled with satiation. “Since the child grew up, we haven’t enjoyed ourselves like this in a long time.” Matt didn’t light a post-coital cigarette. Instead, he gently kissed Susan’s forehead. It was then that I noticed the “scar” on Matt’s ribs, which he always covered with a band-aid. It was actually the initials of their three names. When I finally came to my senses, tears were already splashing onto the screen. Indignant, I commented below: 【Don’t you feel ashamed, stealing someone else’s husband?】 Immediately after, the entire video was deleted. But it wasn’t hard to feel that she was declaring war. Using the knowledge I gained in law school, I drafted a divorce agreement for myself. Just as I typed the last word, the hospital suddenly called. “Ms. Lin, your mother has had a sudden heart attack. Her condition is very serious, and we need you to come to the hospital immediately to sign some papers!” I stumbled and ran to the hospital. My mother lay on the hospital bed, barely clinging to life, her voice muffled by the oxygen mask, as if coming from another world. “My attending doctor said… said you stole her husband…” I quickly checked the tag at the head of the bed. My mother’s new attending physician was indeed Susan Thorne. But I was Matt’s legally married wife. How could a mistress say such a thing? “Mom, I…” I cried, about to explain, but my mother wouldn’t even spare me another glance as she was wheeled into the operating room. In the desolate hallway, I helplessly called Matt. The cold, mechanical female voice was my only answer. The phone number he had specially customized for me was switched off when I needed him most. Just then, a video popped up on my phone. Outside the courthouse, Susan Thorne, holding a prenatal test result, embraced Matt from behind, desperately pleading: “I’m pregnant. Although I don’t want to disrupt your and her life, at least, please guarantee the child’s future.” “The baby is still so small. You wouldn’t just abandon me, right?” Susan cried, her face like a weeping pear blossom, a truly pitiable sight. Even my heart clenched. It felt like an eternity. Matt’s deep voice, clear in the cold wind, finally broke the silence: “Let’s go in. I’ll marry you.” 3 The video’s date was the exact same day Matt and I “got married.” I rushed to the courthouse in a daze. The clerk told me my marriage certificate was fake. “Mr. Vincent’s wife for the past five years has always been Ms. Susan Thorne.” That single, short sentence pronounced a death sentence on my marriage. Five years ago, Matt had said his parents opposed our marriage, so we skipped the wedding ceremony. After quickly getting our “marriage certificate,” he flew to Paris for a month-long exchange program. But it was during that very time that Susan Thorne posted a lavish wedding ceremony video on her profile. Matt’s parents were seen placing a family heirloom necklace around Susan’s neck. Perhaps they never even knew I existed. It turned out I was the one living in the shadows, the mistress. The sudden, cruel truth struck me like a burning arrow, causing me to faint from the shock. When I opened my eyes again, I was already in the hospital. Matt sat by the bed, his face grim, reeking of stale cigarette smoke. “You knew I was on call last night, yet you kept calling me frantically. When I didn’t answer, you pretended to be sick. That’s just too much.” “I have several surgeries waiting for me. Don’t be so unreasonable.” But seeing my gloomy expression, and remembering it was Friday, his tone softened slightly: “Be on time for the awards ceremony tomorrow.” The next day, Matt and Susan Thorne, as the hospital’s star doctors, stood together looking exactly like a well-matched, attractive couple. Everyone’s mocking gazes landed on me. Trapped at home for years, I carried the unshakeable smell of stale second-hand smoke. “Is that Dr. Vincent’s wife? Why does she look ten years older, like a nanny? It’s laughable.” “I wonder what Dr. Vincent was thinking. Dr. Thorne has a Ph.D., she’s young and beautiful. She’d be so much more presentable.” “She smells awful, but Dr. Vincent doesn’t smoke, does she smoke herself?” … Hearing these words now only felt ironic. I really wasn’t fit to be Matt’s wife; I was just an unrecognized mistress. The Vincent family heirloom jade pendant on Susan Thorne’s neck still stung my eyes. I had tirelessly managed our small home, playing the role of a Vincent family “daughter-in-law” for five years, yet I had never even met his parents. To even glimpse the Vincent family heirloom, I had to see it on another woman. Susan Thorne linked her arm through Matt’s, smiling as she walked towards me. “They say Mrs. Vincent is virtuous and gentle. Seeing her today, the rumors are certainly true.” She emphasized the words “Mrs. Vincent,” her eyes filled with mockery. I opened my mouth, wanting to confront her about provoking my mother, but then realized I didn’t even have the right to question her. To my surprise, Susan Thorne noticed my resentment, smiling as she lowered her voice and whispered in my ear: “I just shared some of my and my husband’s daily life with your mother. I really didn’t expect her to enjoy listening so much. I’ll go talk to her again later.” The woman’s challenging smile grew larger and larger in my vision. Unable to bear it any longer, I forcefully pushed her away. “Shut up!” “Lynn Forrest, are you crazy?!” Matt grabbed my arm, out of control, his eyes filled with disgust for me. “How dare you lay hands on someone in public? Do you want me to throw you out?!” But Susan Thorne, where he couldn’t see, was still taunting me. By the time I reacted, I had already lunged forward, grabbing her collar, my eyes blazing with fury. To my surprise, the woman didn’t get angry; instead, she smiled, staring at my phone. The next second, my phone suddenly displayed my mother’s death certificate.

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On my wife, Eleanor’s, wake, I overheard her sister’s phone call. “Ellie, that fake death of yours is truly impressive. Your husband’s burying you at the cemetery, and you’re still up all night at an e-sports hotel with your little brother.” “Save a spot for me, I’ll be right there.” I froze instantly, subconsciously following them to the e-sports hotel. I watched Eleanor Stone, usually so formidable in the Stone family. Now, she was leaning against a red-haired man, smiling, enjoying him teaching her to smoke mouth-to-mouth. The moment she raised her arm, her sisters cheered. “Ellie, haven’t you washed off that temporary tattoo yet?” A sliver of white skin showed at Eleanor’s waist. On her slender lower back, black and red lettering was strikingly clear: Joshua Vance’s Exclusive. “Never. Joshua’s exclusive hand-drawn piece. I’ll never wash it off.” A chill ran down my spine, and I stumbled out of the hotel in a daze. As soon as I got home, my mother-in-law, Clara, her eyes red and swollen from crying, gripped my hand. “Adrian, Ellie had no luck. I’ve found a good girl for you from a respectable family. If she’s suitable, I’ll go with you to propose.” 1. In the private room, Eleanor spoke flatly: “Did Adrian take care of all the arrangements for my funeral?” Her sister laughed. “Everything’s handled, Ellie. Meticulous and respectful, just Adrian’s style.” “He was practically bursting with tears, yet he maintained that self-controlled, proper demeanor. Truly from a refined family!” Snap! Eleanor slowly exhaled a puff of smoke, then passed the cigarette to Joshua Vance with her mouth, her face full of indulgence. Through the swirling smoke, I saw a flicker of annoyance in Eleanor’s eyes. “That’s Adrian for you, emotionally numb, no feelings whatsoever.” “His life is a precise schedule—eating, dressing. Even in bed, he’s restrained and proper, so rigid.” “Even if I really died, he’d still faithfully keep vigil, taking care of the Stone family and my mom for me.” Her sister chuckled: “Just one marriage certificate, and he’s utterly devoted to you, Ellie, and to the Stone family. Quite a bargain.” “Who knows, maybe Adrian will even be happy about your resurrection, Ellie.” Everyone roared with laughter, a painful sting to my eardrums. The bitterness in my chest almost overflowed. It took several deep breaths to swallow back my tears. For her final dignity, I had suppressed my emotions to arrange the funeral. Every mourner praised my meticulous and respectful conduct. I had never found it difficult. For Eleanor, at home, in every aspect of life, I always maintained propriety, never letting her worry. Outside, I was Eleanor’s most capable assistant. I helped her secure the Stone family’s largest project in a decade. I always thought we were soulmates, moving forward together. But in the end, all I got was a mere “bargain.” “Ellie, when you’re with me, can you stop talking about your family’s old-fashioned ways!” Joshua Vance yanked off his headphones, throwing them forcefully onto the table. “I want you to divorce him! And I want you to tattoo my name over your heart! That’s the only way it’s real love!” My heart clenched. I was suddenly terrified of Eleanor’s answer. Eleanor only hesitated for a few seconds before quickly nodding. “Okay, if Joshua says divorce, I’ll divorce. Shall we go get the tattoo now?” My entire body felt cold, and a violent headache threatened to tear me apart. For the first time in my life, I lost control, stumbling frantically out of the e-sports hotel. On the crowded streets, Eleanor’s wedding vows echoed ceaselessly in my ears. “Adrian, in the Stone family, there’s no divorce, only widowhood. I will only ever have one husband, you.” How ridiculous. The validity of Eleanor’s vow lasted barely three years. I wandered the streets, distraught, my phone buzzing. My mother-in-law’s tired voice came from the other end. “Adrian, you’ve worked hard these past few days. I’ve taken it upon myself to find you a good match. Consider bringing her home.” 2. I don’t know how much time passed, but then I heard my own trembling voice. “Okay.” Hanging up the phone, I realized I had unknowingly walked to the entrance of an amusement park. This time, I bought a ticket and went in alone. As the elevator ascended, I felt as if I saw Eleanor from three years ago again. Before I met Eleanor, my life was lived meticulously, within the strict boundaries set by my parents. We were educated from childhood to be rational, to walk on a razor’s edge. One step out of line was unacceptable. The most my father ever said was, “You enjoy more wealth than ordinary people, so you must shed superfluous emotions.” I wanted to rebel, but I knew I had no right. For an elite family like ours, if I became disobedient, someone could immediately replace me. I would become worthless, lose everything. And Eleanor was the first person to make me drop my mask. “Adrian, life’s too short for all this formality.” “Why not live for the moment, enjoy the present?” Eleanor took me, helping me evade the bodyguards my parents had arranged. She took me drag racing. As the wind roared past my ears, I held her tightly. That was the first time I ever broke free from the rules, letting out a wild shout. Eleanor was one of the few redemptions in my life of self-restraint and proper conduct. I loved the rebellion in her bones, her fierce capacity to love and hate. The engine suddenly roared, and I gripped the brake, my heart trembling. Eleanor’s phantom blurred for a moment. Just like her odd behavior, which I couldn’t quite grasp. Six months ago, Eleanor had changed. She would come home after I had already fallen asleep. I would wake early for work, and Eleanor would still be asleep. I subtly questioned her secretary, who only stammered that Eleanor was entertaining clients. But the strong smell of tobacco on her clothes couldn’t be faked. My ingrained upbringing prevented me from making a scene; I only offered a calm reminder. “Be careful not to get food poisoning from eating out so much.” That was the first time Eleanor had smashed plates and cutlery in front of me, the splashing soup raising a row of blisters. “Adrian, aren’t you the most disciplined and proper? What is this now, jealousy? If you want to know something, then go find out.” Eleanor knew me, a fatal blow. She knew my upbringing and my restraint wouldn’t allow me to track her movements, so I could only let it go. Now, I regret it. If I had intervened earlier, Eleanor and I might not have ended up like this. “Sir, is this your first time drag racing? Safety precautions…” The staff member waved, interrupting my thoughts. I came back to myself and shook my head: “I know all the safety precautions.” The staff member nodded and opened the gate. I looked at the red motorbike, walked over, and twisted the throttle. One kick, and my breathing quickened. That long-dormant heart began to beat again. As the wind roared past once more. Eleanor’s playful tone, her mocking smirk, all were swept away by the wind. The story began here. It should also end here. 3. Coming down from the ride, the tears on my face had already dried in the wind. My mother-in-law, Clara, conveniently texted me the address of the person she was introducing me to. I set the destination on my GPS. Just as I was about to leave, there was a knock on my car window. I looked up, and Joshua Vance’s face appeared unexpectedly. “Hey, old man, you know me, right? You saw everything at the e-sports hotel, didn’t you?” He forcefully smashed my car window with the baseball bat in his hand. Bang! Shards of glass flew past my eye, burning like fire. Joshua Vance grabbed my hair, yanked me out of the window, and leaned close to my ear. “I’m just here to tell you that since you heard Eleanor wants to divorce you, you should cooperate. Eleanor doesn’t like you.” “Nowadays, free love is all the rage. Eleanor hates boring men like you the most. Please, old man, step out of our love story.” I met Joshua Vance’s challenging gaze: “You call that love?” Joshua Vance’s smirk froze, his eyebrow piercing glinting even more sharply in the light. “Adrian, to see if a woman loves you, you look at whether she’s willing to spend money on you, understand, old man?” “And even if she hasn’t spent money on me, she’s given me her time. What about you? Is she willing to spend time with you, old man?” My heart skipped a beat. I stared straight at him, my voice hoarse. “You think Eleanor truly loves you? You’re just the cheapest novelty she found! Once the novelty wears off, there will be a second you, a third you…” Joshua Vance’s face instantly flushed crimson, as if I’d struck a nerve. “You’re judging me and her now?!” He dragged me directly out of the car. Rip! I felt a sudden rush of cold beneath me; my collar had been torn. He pointed his phone at me, taking pictures, his voice grating. “You think you have any right to be near Eleanor? Tell me, if I post online that an old man like you is a gold-digger, what would people think?” His strength was surprisingly immense, the skull ring on his hand leaving red marks on my face. I stumbled backward, enraged. “You’re breaking the law!” Joshua Vance sneered: “Breaking the law? Do you think I’m scared?” He smiled and made a call. “Bring everyone over! I’m in a fight at the Star Court! Come give your Eleanor’s husband a proper welcome!” I frowned, trying to grab his phone, but Joshua Vance slammed the car door shut on my hand. The intense pain in my bones made me tremble uncontrollably. I endured the crushing pressure of the car door, gritting my teeth and yelling for help. “Security! Security!” No one answered. Despair slowly permeated me. This time, I couldn’t stay calm. I frantically searched for something to defend myself with. No one was coming to my rescue; I had to rely on myself! Catching sight of a fire hydrant in the distance, I was about to struggle free from the car door when I heard a familiar yet puzzled voice. “Adrian?”

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It was my fiancée, Sophia, who first suggested a getaway with her best friends. I should have seen it coming. Her male best friend, Arthur, was in charge of the snacks. He’d swapped out the beef sauce on the pizza for crawfish paste, something I’m severely allergic to. After I took a bite, tiny red patches immediately flared across my face. Arthur just chuckled, “See? You can eat it, can’t you?” I frantically searched for my epinephrine auto-injector, only to find the storage box completely empty. Sophia, seeing my reaction, merely paused for a moment before explaining, “Arthur is scared of needles, so I threw them all out. Just drink some water, you’ll be fine.” But the red rash was already spreading, crawling across my face and down my neck, an angry tide. “How could I have left them where he could see them? I could die!” I stammered, my voice tight with panic. She, however, looked annoyed. “Who hasn’t had an allergy before? How serious could it be? Don’t be such a drama queen.” She then turned, pulling her now-sobbing male friend into a comforting embrace, murmuring soothing words. I couldn’t utter another sound. My fingers fumbled for my phone, sending a desperate text to my father: “Dad, I ate seafood, but Sophia threw away all my injectors.” … My hands clutched at my face, the burning sensation almost unbearable. “Sophia, tell me, where did you throw them?!” Perhaps my voice was too loud. Arthur flinched, as if startled, which only made Sophia tense up further. “Finn Marston! Aren’t you suffocating with your hands over your face? Can’t you act like a man?” My face was already swelling, but Sophia just gave me an impatient glare, her words dripping with ice. “You know I have a severe allergic reaction to seafood, Sophia,” I tried to reason again, hoping she might show a flicker of concern. But she merely rolled her eyes, her gaze already fixed on her phone, fingers flying across the screen. Her friends’ phones chirped continuously, and they kept stealing glances at me, giggling behind their hands. My heart sank. I stood numbly outside the hot spring, utterly lost. Arthur, however, walked closer, and with a sudden jerk, pulled my hands away from my face. “Oh, big brother’s face is a little flushed. Could it be from seeing Sophia’s friends in bikinis?” He let out a snicker, and the women around us, hearing him, huffed in indignation and splashed water at me. The hot spring water was lukewarm, but the splash drenched my upper body, and the burning sensation intensified, spreading like wildfire. Despite Sophia’s disapproving glare, I grabbed Arthur’s collar, though I barely had the strength to hold on. “Tell me, where did you throw them?!” Arthur shoved my hand away, a sneer twisting his lips, the cruelty in his eyes now starkly visible. “So eager to know?” He stepped closer, forcing me back a few staggering steps. My foot accidentally landed on some scattered women’s underwear on the ground. By the time I realized what had happened, it was too late. “Ugh, a pervert! That’s my freshly changed underwear! Sophia, control your boyfriend!” “Seriously, Sophia, what kind of person do you bring home?” I lifted my foot in shock, my gaze meeting Sophia’s. “Finn Marston.” Her voice was low and dangerous. “Are you done making a scene?” I was too stunned to explain, too mortified to meet her eyes. My body felt as if a thousand ants were crawling under my skin. “Sister, it’s not his fault. He accidentally stepped on it when he grabbed me. It wasn’t on purpose.” Arthur seized the opportunity to slink back to Sophia, his voice soft and innocent. “Arthur was just trying to be concerned, and you laid hands on him?” Sophia’s anger flared once more, expertly stoked by him. I was about to explain, but Arthur cut me off. “Finn, I’ll pour you a glass of water. Calm down, and forgive me.” With that, he scurried to the outdoor water dispenser. As he filled the cup, he cast a wary glance at me. Then, I saw him squeeze some unknown liquid into the water. “Finn, it’s all my fault you and Sister Sophia are fighting. Have some water to cool down.” As soon as the water was brought to me, a sharp citrus scent assaulted my nostrils. The itching on my body intensified. I endured the discomfort, and under Sophia’s watchful eye, took the glass. The moment our hands met, Arthur suddenly pressed hard on the bottom of the cup, splashing water all over my face. “Ah— Arthur, what are you doing!” The acidic liquid, combined with my sensitive, reddened skin, ignited an even more intense stinging, making me cry out in pain. All eyes turned to me, but Arthur’s tears came first. He darted behind Sophia. “I didn’t do anything! Finn isn’t trying to frame me for splashing water on himself, is he? I was just trying to show some concern for him when he suddenly knocked over the water…” Sophia’s face hardened. She strode towards me. Then, a sharp, stinging slap landed hard on my cheek. “Finn Marston, have you made enough of a scene? So he gave you seafood, but you’re fine now, aren’t you? What more do you want?!” The lemon juice continued to irritate, and my entire body began to swell. After Sophia’s slap, my lips started to turn blue. “Sophia! Where are they?! I’m seriously going to die!” I was on the verge of falling to my knees, ready to abandon all dignity in front of everyone. But Sophia was completely unmoved. “You dare to yell at me?” she said, her expression alien. A ripple of whispers ran through the women. “Finn, your emotions are so unstable. If you’re like this around Sister Sophia, you might become abusive…” Sophia’s gaze sharpened, piercing me with accusation. I wanted to defend myself, but no words came. In the silence, Arthur naturally took Sophia’s hand, swaying gently. Sophia looked at him with a tenderness I had never seen her direct at me. “Sister, you know I can get very overwhelmed by sharp objects…” My eyes burned as I stared at their intertwined fingers, a sharp pain piercing my chest. Just as I was about to speak, Sophia’s gentle demeanor vanished, replaced by an expression of pure disgust as she looked at me. “Enough. I think you just want to use those stupid needles to hurt Arthur. How can you be so malicious? Don’t you dare bring that up again.” I briefly glanced at Arthur, wanting to speak again, but a sudden shortness of breath seized me. Then, my vision swam, and I collapsed painfully to the ground. Everyone was momentarily startled by my collapse, but it was just a moment. “Sophia, did you find this boyfriend at a circus? He’s quite the entertainer.” “Look at his nose, so red. Doesn’t he look like a clown?” “Hahaha…” Sophia heard the escalating laughter of her friends, and her face flushed with embarrassment. She then kicked me again. “If you’re not dead, get up. Get out.” The kick landed squarely on my chest. My chest, already suffering from the allergic reaction, seized up violently. “Cough… cough!” Blood spewed from my mouth. Seeing me like this, her disgust only deepened. “Sister, why don’t you go play with your friends? I’ll take care of Finn. Don’t let him ruin your mood.” Arthur spoke first, putting on a show of “easing her burden.” After Sophia turned and re-entered the hot spring, he squatted beside me, pulling at my ear. “Finn Marston, you’re all red and disgusting,” he whispered. “How about I tell you? Your medicine? It’s in the trash can at the foot of the mountain. Are you going to go?” My face was flushed, my body racked with intense itching, too weak to even shake off his hand, let alone stand up and walk the ten miles of winding mountain road to the foot of the hill. “Foot of the mountain… why…” I moaned in agony, but Arthur’s eyes sparkled with more excitement. In a haze, I noticed my messenger bag under the table. I remembered it contained my best antihistamines. While not as effective as the auto-injector, they could slow down an acute reaction. A flicker of hope ignited within me. Ignoring Arthur’s taunts, I hunched forward, reaching my hand under the table. Just a little more, and I’d have it. I strained my body, my fingers almost touching the pills. But Arthur suddenly stood up. With a swift kick, he sent the pills skittering into the nearby pool. My heart plummeted with them. “Arthur! What are you doing!” I screamed hysterically, my eyes blazing with furious fire. “Doing? My foot slipped.” Arthur brutally stepped on my outstretched hand, watching me with amused interest. “This medicine isn’t as good as the injector, is it? I’ll escort you to the gate, you can go get that one, Finn.” With that, he grabbed my arm and dragged me, face-down, forward. The path around the hot spring was covered in jagged, colorful gravel. My exposed upper body scraped against the ground, the intense tearing sensation threatening to make me pass out. He dragged me like this for a full mile. By the time we reached the gate, my back was raw, a bloody mess of torn skin. Arthur then urinated on me. The overwhelming stench choked me. I couldn’t open my eyes, but the vile liquid made me sickeningly aware. Aware of the agonizing pain throughout my body—the swelling, the lacerations, the acidic burning… and the profound humiliation. Seeing me in such agony, unable to open my eyes, Arthur contentedly zipped up his pants. Then, footsteps approached. “Arthur? I saw a puddle of rotten flesh and a lot of blood on the road! The girls are terrified!” Sophia, in her high-heeled sandals, walked up, failing to notice me hidden just outside the villa gate. Arthur visibly panicked for a moment, then quickly composed himself, adopting his usual “puppy dog” expression. “Sister, the cook accidentally spilled some scraps of meat, I haven’t had a chance to clean it up yet.” “But what about Finn? He’s not really hurt, is he? He really is allergic to crawfish…” Hearing Sophia’s concern for me, Arthur cast a jealous glance my way. I let out a cold laugh, though my lips instantly screamed in pain. “I couldn’t argue with Finn. He asked me where the injector was discarded, so he ran off to look for it.” He then added, “See, my hand is all bruised from him pulling on it.” Bruised? Yes, that was true, but it was from when he beat me. “What! He hit you again, that despicable man, so vicious!” From my spot in the corner, I watched as Arthur’s hand was taken, gently caressed, and mourned. “Don’t mind him. Sister will take you to put some ointment on it.” When Arthur’s back disappeared from my sight, I finally passed out completely. I don’t know how much time passed, but large raindrops pelting down roused me from unconsciousness. The sudden coolness brought some relief to the burning pain on my body, but blood still flowed relentlessly from beneath me. The door creaked open again. Arthur, holding a clear umbrella, slowly approached me, examining me carefully. “Didn’t you say you were dying? How come you’re not dead yet?” He pulled an engraving knife from his chest pocket. The blade glinted, momentarily blinding me. “Your face is handsome, it’s no wonder Sister Sophia likes you. But if I carve a line across it, will she completely despise you?” he said nonchalantly, a truly grotesque smile on his face. “Arthur, so you’re this despicable because of your inner insecurity?” I struggled against the swelling on my face, forcing my eyes open as wide as possible, mercilessly mocking him. He seemed to have been struck by something personal. His expression hardened, and the engraving knife slashed across my face, leaving a long, deep gash. Pain. This time, I didn’t cry out. I just silently registered the agony on my face. “Arthur. Let your death countdown begin.” “When I die, my father will flay you alive. Your pain won’t be a single fraction less than mine. It will only be more, not less.” “But, I also can’t die from such humiliation.” “After all, I am the son of the richest man in the city.” “And now I’m enduring this bastard’s torment, to be secretly done to death by him.” “And Sophia, she’s just the daughter of a small-time business owner.” “I meticulously maintained her self-respect, yet she simply threw my dignity to the ground and crushed it.” “I refuse to accept this.”

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The morning after, a woman knocked on my door. “Is your dad home?” “Who?” “Jonathan Czuchry, your father.” The woman smiled gently. “You must be Chloe, right? I’ve seen your photo in Jonathan’s wallet. I never expected such a big, rough man to raise such a refined daughter.” “My dad?” Lost in a daze, the woman handed me a bag containing a set of keys and a familiar pair of men’s boxers. “These are what your father left at my place last night. I’ve already washed them clean.” She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, a shy blush on her cheeks. “He didn’t go to the office today, so I took the liberty of bringing them over. You’re an adult now, so please don’t be offended. Your mother’s been gone for so many years; it’s natural for your father to find someone.” I stared at the items in her hand, frozen. I had no idea that my husband, fourteen years my senior, had inexplicably become my “dad.” … The woman appeared to be in her mid-thirties, with a darker complexion. While not strikingly beautiful, she had a pleasant demeanor. I struggled to maintain my composure and let her into the house. She made herself quite at home, pouring a glass of water and settling in, then began to share the story of how she and Jonathan had met. “Your father and I met two years ago in Kenya. I was sold there by traffickers, forced into working as a hostess. One time, a customer was giving me a hard time, and your dad, he couldn’t stand it. He used every penny in his account to buy me out – over a million dollars, can you believe it?” I felt an icy dread seep into my bones. Two years ago, Jonathan had returned from a business trip to Kenya, crestfallen, telling me his investment had failed, and over a million dollars had vanished. I comforted him, saying that as long as he was safe, it was all that mattered. Turns out, the money had all been spent on her. My gaze fell on the slender wrist she wore. The woman raised her hand, showing off a glistening jade bangle. “This was your grandmother’s heirloom,” she explained with a smile. “Your dad gave it to me. He said the most important things should go to the most important person.” The luminous jade bracelet sharply pricked my eyes. The year Jonathan and I married, he was just starting his company. We were tight on money, so I asked for nothing, not even the traditional gold jewelry. Later, after his mother passed, I hinted repeatedly that I hoped he would give me his mother’s bangle. But he always said that things from the dead were bad luck. The woman’s voice continued, “I’m an orphan. Your dad kindly brought me back to the States, set me up with everything, and even got me a job as his secretary in his company. Gradually, as we spent time together every day, feelings developed between us.” “Your dad is busy with work, but he always makes time for me. I have a sensitive stomach, and he even learned to cook for me.” “Last time my stomach was bothering me, he missed your grandmother’s funeral to take care of me. But he said my health was more important than anything.” Listening to her words, my heart felt as if it were being flayed, bleeding profusely. When my own mother died, Jonathan had claimed he was too busy with work to return for the memorial. I had believed him, shouldering all the criticism and accusations on his behalf. Now, everything seemed so utterly laughable. A sudden wave of nausea churned in my stomach. I clutched my lips, dry-heaving violently, a dull ache in my lower abdomen. “What’s wrong?” The woman realized her blunder, asking cautiously, “I’m sorry, Chloe. I shouldn’t have told you all this. Are you… having trouble accepting your dad remarrying?” I shook my head. It must be the little one in my belly grieving for me. The woman, sensing my low spirits, added me on social media and then discreetly left. I sat at home all day, lost in a daze. That evening, Jonathan finally returned. I looked at the man before me, nearing forty. Time hadn’t etched many lines on his face; he was still strikingly handsome, composed, and mature. “Jonathan Czuchry,” I handed him the keys, my voice hoarse. “A woman brought these over earlier.” Jonathan’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of panic crossing his face. “What did she say?” “Why are you so flustered?” I averted my gaze, speaking calmly. “She just said she was your secretary, and you left your keys at the office last night while working late.” Jonathan tugged at his tie, clearly relieved. He had just sat down when his phone rang, and his expression instantly changed. “Sweetheart, something urgent came up at the office. You go to sleep, don’t wait up for me tonight.” Jonathan stayed for less than ten minutes before rushing out again. Two hours later, I saw a post from Olivia on social media. [My stomach started hurting again. Luckily he came just in time, making me porridge and soup. I’m so happy~] I stared at the words, feeling as though I was plummeting into a bottomless abyss. Two years ago, Jonathan had suddenly taken an interest in cooking. He not only taught himself over a hundred dishes but also how to make various nutritious soups. I had been deeply touched, believing he learned to cook for me. Now I realized I was a complete and utter joke. Sleep was impossible. The next morning, I woke to excruciating pain in my lower abdomen and bleeding. Jonathan’s phone was unreachable. I endured the pain, driving myself to the hospital. After a series of examinations, the doctor shook her head with regret. “Your progesterone levels are too low, and the emotional distress led to a miscarriage. You’ll need a D&C.” Miscarriage… The two words floated lightly, yet they drained all strength from my body. My baby was gone. My marriage was collapsing. That afternoon, Jonathan rushed to the hospital. He was panting, sweating profusely, one shoe missing. “Chloe, I’m so sorry…” Jonathan sat by my hospital bed, his eyes red, slapping himself in self-reproach. “I was so busy today, I just saw your message! I’m such an idiot, not being here for you immediately for something so important.” His choked sobs and sorrow didn’t seem fake. I thought, he must love me, right? I couldn’t condemn him so easily based on a few words from someone else. I had to get to the bottom of this. Just as I was about to speak, Jonathan glanced at his phone, his expression subtly uneasy. “Chloe, I have to step out for a moment for something.” The moment he left, I followed. At the end of the hallway, I saw Olivia clinging to Jonathan’s arm, her voice sweetly complaining, “Jonathan, why didn’t you tell me your daughter was hospitalized? I have to go see her. After all, I’m her elder, you know.” “Olivia, don’t go.” Jonathan stopped her, his face flustered. “Chloe… she’s not quite ready to accept me moving on with new relationships.” Olivia paused. “No wonder she looked so unhappy yesterday.” “What did you say?” Jonathan’s eyes narrowed. “What did you tell her yester…” But Olivia suddenly hugged his waist, burying her face in his chest. “But Jonathan, I really want to be part of your family. I really want your daughter to accept me. I truly love you, and I don’t want to break up because of outside reasons.” Her voice was fragile and pitiful. Jonathan patted her back, his movements familiar and tender. “Foolish girl, what are you thinking? I won’t leave you. I know you only have me in your world.” Watching this scene, my heart felt like it was being brutally torn in two. Her entire world was him. And wasn’t mine the same? I had been with Jonathan since I was eighteen. Back then, he had nothing, not a penny to his name. My family and friends all said I was crazy, finding an old, poor man who had nothing but good looks. Later, Jonathan started his business. To show his sincerity, he transferred all his initial company shares to me. He pledged his entire fortune to my father, promising that he would prove, with his actions, that my choice was not wrong. But now, he had fallen in love with a woman his own age. The fourteen-year age gap between us had become an unbridgeable chasm. I returned to my hospital room, utterly distraught. A moment later, my hands trembling, I sent a message to my best friend. [Skylar… Jonathan cheated on me.] I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. [Contact a lawyer for me. Jonathan spent millions on his mistress during our marriage. I want all that money back.] [Also, find a time to sell all my shares in Czuchry Industries.] Just as I put my phone away, Jonathan entered. He poured a glass of warm water, placing it by my bedside, then tentatively asked, “Sweetheart, did… my secretary say anything to you yesterday?” “No, nothing,” I feigned calmness, speaking indifferently. “She just dropped off the things and left.” Jonathan’s brow relaxed. He sat down and patted my shoulder. “Sweetheart, don’t be sad… you’re still young. We’ll have more children later.” There won’t be any more, I repeated in my mind. Jonathan, there’s no ‘later’ for us. “Sweetheart, have some soup.” Jonathan bustled about, personally making me a bowl of hot chicken soup. Looking at the steaming bowl in his hands, I recalled Olivia’s social media post. My stomach suddenly churned, and I couldn’t help but gag. Jonathan frowned, patting my back. “What’s wrong?” “Nothing.” I pushed him away. “Just felt a bit nauseous.” As I spoke, a clear female voice rang out from the doorway: “Jonathan.” Jonathan’s face froze. He turned around in a panic. “Olivia, what are you doing here?” Olivia smiled, carrying a basket of fruit as she walked in. “After thinking it over, I felt I really should come see Chloe.” Olivia sat by my bed, intimately taking my hand. “Chloe, Jonathan told me you’re in the hospital for some women’s health issues? Your mom passed early, so if there’s anything you don’t understand, you can always ask me…” “Olivia!” Jonathan interrupted anxiously. “Something urgent came up at the office. You need to come back with me.” He then said to me, “Chloe, rest well. I’ll come back to see you later.” With that, he pulled Olivia and left in a hurry. I knew. He was panicking. He was afraid of being exposed. This seemingly upright man, with one lie, had deceived two women. Half an hour later, I once again scrolled past Olivia’s social media post. [Called me out under the pretense of overtime, but it was actually to give me a huge surprise~] She posted a photo of a property deed. [I finally have a home in this city! A 3-million-dollar brownstone, it’s his unique gift to me!] The name “Olivia” on the property deed burned my eyes. I even wondered. Was she truly unaware of the truth, or was she deliberately provoking me? I still couldn’t resist. I called Jonathan. It wasn’t until the eighth try that the call connected. “Chloe, what’s wrong?” “Jonathan Czuchry, come back immediately. I have something to ask you.” In the past, Jonathan would have sensed the distress in my voice. But now, he merely lowered his tone. “Chloe, I’m very busy right now. I’ll come back to be with you later.” “I want you to come back now!” “Chloe, don’t make a scene,” Jonathan’s voice grew impatient. “Just wait for me. I’ll be back later.” He hung up. Before the dial tone, I heard Olivia’s voice, playfully complaining, on the other end. “Jonathan, I’m so happy today.” My tears suddenly fell. She was very happy. But her happiness was built upon my suffering. Half an hour later, I received a message from Olivia. [Chloe, don’t you like me? If there’s anything you’re unhappy with about me, you can say it.] [Even though I worked as a hostess in Kenya, my personal life is very clean. Your father is my first man.] [And I’m pregnant with your dad’s child. I will treat everyone equally in the future and try my best to be a good stepmother. I hope you can accept me!]

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1 It was New Year’s Eve, and I was barely a month post-miscarriage. Jonathan Goode brought me a bowl of freshly made beef stew. And a signed divorce agreement. “Kathy, Maya is pregnant.” “Let’s part ways amicably.” The rich aroma of the soup instantly lost its appeal. He was talking about the female student he’d sponsored, the very person responsible for the loss of my child. But I didn’t cry, didn’t make a scene. I just asked calmly, “Why?” Jonathan looked relieved, yet indifferent. “For these seven years, whenever I lay beside you, I couldn’t help but feel disgusted.” “Kathy, even if you were violated because of me, I can’t stand the stain on you.” “It’s probably for the best that the child is gone. We’re even now.” So that was it. But Jonathan didn’t know that the “stained” person he spoke of was actually him. Nor did he know that seven years ago, to save him, I had a memory chip implanted in his brain. In three days, that chip would expire. Then, he would remember everything. And he would die. … “Financially, I won’t shortchange you.” Seeing my silence, Jonathan laid out the agreement. “I’ve left you the car and the house, plus half the money. It should be enough even if you don’t work anymore.” This meant he intended to cut me out of the corporation we had built together. Swallowing the bitterness that rose in my throat, I pushed the agreement aside. “I need time to consider.” Jonathan frowned. “Kathy, Maya is different from you. She’s pure, she’s only ever had me, and I have to be responsible for her.” His voice grew menacing at the end. “As a married couple, I don’t think you’d want me to turn this into a fight.” I couldn’t help but recall how, before he made his fortune, he was once pressured at a business dinner to concede profits. The opposing party merely showed a hint of aggression, and Jonathan smashed a wine bottle over his head. Now, he was aiming that bottle at me. “Don’t worry, I’ll sign it.” But not the divorce agreement. “The day after tomorrow is our tenth wedding anniversary. At least, have dinner with me.” Jonathan paused, then reluctantly said, “Kathy, why are you doing this?” He thought I was desperate. “The day after tomorrow, I promised Maya I’d go with her for her prenatal check-up. If this is the only way you’ll sign, I’ll make time to come back.” Just then, Maya called. “Jonathan, my tummy feels a bit uncomfortable. I wonder if the baby misses you too much.” She was only two months pregnant; the baby wasn’t even fully formed. Yet, Jonathan’s eyes softened instantly, and a look of doting affection I’d never seen before appeared on his face. “Okay, I’ll come right back and give him a good talking to.” Before leaving, Jonathan paused. “Kathy, this is the home I’ve always wanted.” He had said those very words years ago, when he broke ties with his family for me. Such a privileged man, living in a drafty rented room, yet he still found it cozy. All because I was there. “Kathy, you are my home.” Today, that home, me, had become the hell he was desperate to escape. The unfinished beef stew had grown cold. I stood up, tossing the bowl and its contents into the trash. Then, I made two calls. One to a lawyer, asking him to draft a stock transfer agreement for me. The other was to a moving company. I wanted every single item connected to Jonathan removed. That night, he didn’t return, as expected. Maya sent a photo of him bare-chested, warming milk. There were fresh hickeys on his chest. [The baby’s gone and you still won’t divorce him, Sister? Aren’t you pathetic?] [See? Only with me can he be unrestrained, truly wild.] [He must have been so miserable holding back with you; he even wanted me while I was pregnant.] Once, seeing these things would have sent me into a furious frenzy. Like a madwoman, I’d throw out all the disinfectant in the house, then cut up his long-sleeved pajamas. I’d ask him again and again why he avoided me like a disease. I’d ask myself again and again why I’d made that choice all those years ago. But now, I no longer asked. I just calmly saved the messages, then turned off my phone. I was very clear. Apex Holdings, under Jonathan and my leadership, was now worth hundreds of millions. Our joint assets alone amounted to nearly a billion, not to mention our standing in the Chamber of Commerce. My goal was now unambiguous. I wanted all the money and all the power. 2 The next day, I went to the lab where the memory chip had been developed. It was ironic, really. The head of that lab, Ethan Reed, was a brilliant but impoverished student whom Jonathan had initially refused to fund. Back then, our company was just getting on its feet, and funds were limited. Jonathan claimed he saw his past self in Maya and insisted on sponsoring her. Unwilling to see Ethan’s talent hindered by his background, I secretly funded a lab for him, allowing him to earn money through his own abilities. After Jonathan’s incident, Ethan worked tirelessly for a month, developing that memory chip for me. Maya, meanwhile, chose to climb into Jonathan’s bed. “Ms. Thorne, the chip implanted in Mr. Goode’s brain will expire in less than 48 hours, but the data isn’t ideal.” Ethan pushed up his glasses, a hint of worry in his eyes. “When the chip was first implanted, I warned you that forcibly extending its lifespan could cause irreversible neurological damage to Mr. Goode.” He still thought I was the same person who would do anything to save Jonathan’s life. He didn’t realize I had changed. “Let nature take its course.” I closed the report, not even asking a single follow-up question. Ethan paused. “Ms. Thorne, I actually have a backup plan here…” “No need.” I stood up and picked up my bag. “Just save the data.” I didn’t need to imagine how Jonathan would react once his memory returned. But I wouldn’t make the same stupid mistake twice. Walking downstairs, Jonathan called, asking me to attend the graduation ceremony at our alma mater, Kingston University, with him that afternoon. “We usually attend together every year. I don’t want to be gossiped about before we’re divorced.” I knew he was protecting Maya’s reputation. After graduating from Kingston, she had stayed on as a teacher with Jonathan’s help. Rumors about them had been circulating for a while. But I didn’t expose them. After all, I didn’t want any additional complications right now. At the university, the moment Maya saw me, all traces of yesterday’s malice vanished. Instead, she clutched her stomach and spoke nervously. “Kathy, you’re here.” In front of Jonathan, she was always so careful and cautious. And he fell for it every time. Even when Maya pushed me and caused my miscarriage, he believed I was the one making things difficult for her. Just like now, he immediately stepped in front of her. “Kathy, you’re a rational person. Don’t disappoint me.” He was warning me. I tugged at the corner of my mouth. “Move aside.” With that, I pushed past him and sat down. Jonathan paused, clearly surprised by my composure. “Kathy, you…” He was interrupted by Maya. “Kathy, what happened last time was my fault.” She said, hinting at something. “To make it up to you, I’ve specially prepared a surprise for you today.” It wasn’t until she went on stage to give a graduation address to the students that I understood what she meant by “surprise.” She played a video, claiming it was AI-generated, based on an old kidnapping case in Kingston City years ago. A girl, blinded by vanity, was lured abroad, subjected to abuse, and ultimately became a man’s plaything. Every frame focused on that terrified, pained face. Piercing screams, heavy gasps… Though no private parts were shown, the entire audience was still in an uproar. Because that face was mine. 3 The year Jonathan was kidnapped, our company was about to go public, and couldn’t afford any negative press. I had no choice but to block the news. I used all my money and connections to reach out to the local Chinese Association and rescue him. But I never expected that the ordeal would drive him mad. His physical wounds could be healed. But the trauma in his mind, even hypnosis couldn’t mend. After Jonathan’s ninety-ninth suicide attempt, Ethan Reed suggested the memory chip. It could forcibly alter that memory, and it wouldn’t be affected by any emotions or events. However, the underlying pain still needed to be healed so that when the chip expired, Jonathan wouldn’t try to end his life again. So I chose to sacrifice myself. Because I believed love could conquer all difficulties. But it turned out that Jonathan not only found it repulsive, but he also turned it into a knife to stab me with at any given moment. When the video finished, Maya’s gaze subtly swept towards me. “Some people, though alive, have long lost their dignity and become parasites clinging to others.” “So I hope everyone can learn from this, learn to protect themselves, and uphold their bottom line.” After the ceremony, as Maya approached, Jonathan frowned and spoke. “Maya, what you did was too risky.” He wasn’t blaming her. Maya looked innocent. “Jonathan, I put that up because I admire Kathy’s courage and wanted her to be a role model for the students.” Then she adopted a concerned expression for me. “Kathy, this video is something I’ve prepared for a long time. I just want to motivate you, help you move past that incident sooner, and stop being a burden to others.” Hearing this, a doting look crossed Jonathan’s eyes. “Oh, you’re just too kind.” Then he looked at me. “Kathy, Maya meant well. Be more generous.” I stared at him coldly. “Do you know what impact this video will have on me?” “What impact could it have?” Jonathan suddenly became impatient. “The truth always comes out. Did you really think you could hide it forever? Besides, Maya said the video was computer-generated and didn’t name names. Even if someone talks, just don’t take it personally, right? No need to throw a baseless tantrum!” So, in his eyes, such humiliation was my own fault. “Fine.” I didn’t press the issue, instead smiling faintly at Jonathan. “I hope you won’t regret it.” With that, I left, leaving him with a stunned expression. The rumors spread faster than I could have imagined. As if pre-arranged, within an afternoon, numerous versions circulated online. My face was edited into various obscene short videos, and even turned into memes, spread everywhere. With my identity exposed, coupled with the deliberately misleading captions in the video, I was subjected to endless curses and humiliation. [Turns out the Mrs. Goode from Apex Holdings was messed up years ago, no wonder she hasn’t had kids all these years.] [Poor Mr. Goode, so handsome, but he’s the oblivious cuckold.] [AI was too subtle; she clearly sounded like she was enjoying it, where was the pain?] The group’s stock price fluctuated as a result. The next day, my position was suspended by the board of directors. Jonathan spoke to me on the phone in a business-like manner. “Kathy, it wasn’t easy for Apex to get to where it is today. It can’t be ruined by your indiscretions.” He completely forgot that this was all thanks to Maya. “Don’t worry, as long as you sign, I’ll give you the compensation you deserve.” I gripped the phone tightly. “Your so-called compensation is to step on my reputation, kick me out, and force me to sign the divorce.” Jonathan was silent for a moment. “Kathy, don’t blame me.” He didn’t deny it. “Maya is innocent and insecure. If we continue to work together, she won’t be able to handle it.” “I just want to protect my home.” He still didn’t know that his so-called home was on a countdown. Only ten hours remained until the chip expired. And at this critical juncture, the media leaked photos of Jonathan taking Maya to a prenatal check-up.

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