Author: Momo Chan

I’m a professional bridesmaid. At a wedding, the bride asked me to share a love story. I immediately said: “My husband and I got married after knowing each other for only six months. Besides my parents, he’s the person who loves and cherishes me most in this world.” “He makes all my birthday wishes come true. He cooks me breakfast every day. When it rains, he always tilts the umbrella toward me.” Amid envious blessings, a girl suddenly stood up from the audience, looked at me with a smile and said: “Really? But Jace told me he loves me the most. If you don’t believe me, ask him yourself.” Gripping the microphone tightly, I recognized the girl immediately. She was my husband’s phone wallpaper. His niece from abroad, no blood relation. I suppressed my emotions, forcing a smile as I tried to lead her away. But she shook off my hand, looked me up and down, her disgust and disdain unconcealed. “Six months ago, if I hadn’t made Jace angry and left the country, how could I have left him behind?” “Why else would he settle for a woman like you?” “You’re only with Jace for money, aren’t you? It’s absolutely disgusting.” Vivian’s tone and manner were exactly like a wronged wife confronting a mistress. Yet I held the marriage certificate with Jace, but felt like discount merchandise, despised by her from head to toe. I’d always known that Jace’s brother had adopted the daughter of a fallen comrade. Jace doted on her to the bone. But I never imagined they had this kind of relationship. My nails dug into my palms as I forced myself to stay calm, holding back from slapping Vivian at a client’s wedding. Guests were already pointing at us and gossiping. “What’s going on? This woman’s husband is involved with his niece?” “And the niece is openly competing for him right in front of her? What kind of family is this!” “Just now this bridesmaid was saying how much her husband cherishes her. Sigh, looks like she’s just another foolish woman.” The bride was already displeased, signaling me with her eyes to control the situation. I pinched my palm hard, forcing a smile. “What are you saying, Viv? If you’ve had too much to drink, go home. Jace is waiting for us.” Vivian laughed mockingly and without hesitation raised her hand and slapped me. “You’re not worthy of mentioning Jace in front of me. Jace loves me most. If you don’t believe it, ask him yourself.” My struck ear was still ringing when I numbly turned my head. I saw Vivian’s feet give way as she fell sideways. And Jace appeared just in time, catching Vivian in his arms. Vivian buried herself in his embrace. “Jace, I missed you so much.” Jace stroked her head, responding indulgently. “Mm, I know.” In that instant, my heart felt like it had been completely carved out, leaving me frozen in place, unable to move. Eight years. I’d pursued Jace for eight whole years. Later, when Mom was diagnosed with cancer, I was busy earning money and lost contact with him. Until six months ago, when Jace suddenly found me and proposed. I thought he’d finally seen my worth, or had grown accustomed to my devotion. Whatever the reason, as long as it was him, I was willing. After marriage, Jace did the laundry and cooking, showing favoritism in every aspect of life. I became even more certain he truly loved me. But now I was being told all of this was just because Vivian had left the country in a fit of anger, and Jace was settling out of spite? “Sorry, my kid is a bit willful. I’ll take her away. Compensation will be transferred to your account shortly.” Jace carried Vivian princess-style and left. The Maybach’s exhaust quickly disappeared. I couldn’t help but laugh, tears streaming down simultaneously. To pay for Mom’s treatment, I worked desperately to earn money. Professional bridesmaid, pet funeral director, dog walker, hourly worker… Wherever people were needed, I went, working almost 24 hours without rest. How ridiculous that only now did I discover my pillow partner who earned three thousand a month and occasionally needed my financial support actually drove luxury cars and wore custom clothes. The most laughable part wasn’t even that. It was what Jace whispered as he brushed past me. “Say one wrong word, and you’ll be collecting your mother’s corpse.”

After the wedding ended, I swiped my card to compensate the bride. Only to find my bank card had been frozen. I immediately understood Jace had manipulated it. I was reported by the bride and kicked out of the ceremony. When I messaged my boss to explain, all I saw was a glaring red exclamation mark. I took a deep breath, forced to face reality. I’d lost this job. Mom’s life-saving money had decreased by another source. On the way home, I leaned against the car window, pupils dilated, eyes unable to focus. I couldn’t understand how days that should have gotten better and better had turned out like this. That winter, Dad was hit by a car and became a vegetable. The driver fled the scene. Mom couldn’t handle the shock and fainted. Leaving only sixteen-year-old me to take charge. During that time, I often stared blankly at the 17th-floor window. That’s when Jace appeared like a ray of light. He helped me raise money, took care of Mom, comforted my emotions. And arranged Dad’s funeral when he passed away. Jace was the deity heaven sent to me. I couldn’t believe he’d never loved me. When the car reached its destination, I pulled myself from my memories. I needed to ask Jace for answers. Pushing open the door, inappropriate sounds came from the bedroom. “Jace, I’ve always loved you. I don’t want to leave you. Please break up with that old woman, okay?” “Just thinking about you kissing her, having children with her—I’m going crazy.” “Jace, don’t you love me?” I froze in place, legs as if filled with cement, unable to move a step. The next second, Jace’s low voice came through. “I won’t allow her to give birth to a child.” A thunderous crash—my mind went completely blank. We’d had a child. It was the night he proposed six months ago. I was overjoyed, thinking it was heaven’s gift to us lovers finally united. Later I lost the baby from overwork and blamed myself painfully for a long time. Could it be… I burst through the door, voice trembling with tears. “The baby—what really happened with the baby!” Vivian shrieked, followed by a glass being thrown at my forehead. “Get out!” Tears welled in my eyes as I wanted to curse these shameless pair. But when I opened my mouth, I choked, unable to say anything. Ten minutes ago, Jace had backed Vivian, not giving me a single glance from start to finish. And now they were intimate on my bed while I stood there bleeding. Jace was startled for a moment and immediately got up to walk toward me. Before he could take half a step, Vivian grabbed him tightly. She said petulantly, “Jace, if you make me angry again, I’ll never speak to you again!” He looked so helpless as he bent down to kiss her forehead. I held back my tears, fixated on one question. “Was the baby really…” “Yes. I didn’t want to make Vivian unhappy.” Jace said it so casually, as if discussing something as trivial as taking out the trash. I smiled bitterly. At this moment, I was a joke. A joke played for a fool. “Jace, let’s get divorced.” Jace responded indifferently, “Fine.” I was truly exhausted and turned to leave. My phone suddenly rang. “Ms. Shaw? Your mother’s condition isn’t good. Please prepare two hundred thousand for surgery immediately.” My mind exploded with a boom, blood taste filling my mouth. I lowered my head to Jace. “Please, save my mother.”

“What? Jace, you’re still spending money on her?” “Didn’t I say your money can only be spent on me!” Vivian’s tears came instantly, leaving Jace flustered like a clueless boy. He could only turn and threaten me. “Help me explain. I’ll unfreeze your bank card.” I didn’t hesitate for a second. “Vivian, you’ve misunderstood. He’s never spent a penny on me.” “I even thought his monthly salary was only three thousand, and I gave him an extra thousand for household expenses every month.” Vivian smiled satisfactorily, hugging Jace’s waist coquettishly. The two flirted while my mother couldn’t wait. “Jace, the bank card!” After watching him unfreeze it, I immediately rushed to the hospital. Mom had already fallen into a coma. I transferred all one hundred thousand from the card to the bank, but still needed another hundred thousand. I begged bosses from various jobs but only scraped together thirty thousand. My last hope could only rest with Jace. “Jace, I’m still seventy thousand short. Consider it a loan. I’ll definitely pay you back later. Please let my mother get treatment, okay?” Before Jace could speak, Vivian panicked. “No way! I’ve seen plenty of materialistic women like you who’ll do anything for money, even using your mother’s illness as an excuse. How shameless!” “I’m not lying…” I was about to confront her when I turned and saw broken pieces in the corner. I immediately lunged over. Tears fell uncontrollably as I roared, “Who did this! Who did this!” Vivian giggled. “Hehe, my hand slipped accidentally. You won’t blame me, will you?” The pain in my heart nearly made me pass out. Jace stood protectively in front of Vivian. “Vivian hasn’t seen this kind of camera before. She was just curious and took a closer look. It was an accident.” I slowly stood up, staring hard at his face. “Jace, you know this is the only thing my father left me. You know how much I treasure it normally. And now you’re treating me like an idiot with simple words like ‘accident’ and ‘didn’t mean to’?” Jace’s initially reluctant expression showed a hint of impatience. “What more do you want?” Vivian leaned close to my ear. “I know why you fell hopelessly in love with Jace.” “There’s something you don’t know. The hit-and-run driver who killed your father was me.” “I was a minor then. Jace didn’t want me to go to prison, so he ran away with me.” “Helping you later was just to clean up my mess. Did you really think anyone would help you that selflessly?” My eyes turned red as I slapped Vivian hard across the face. Vivian screamed as I was pushed to the ground. “Vivian, are you okay?” Vivian said nothing, just looked at Jace with red, pitiful eyes. Jace immediately grabbed me and shoved me into a small room. The door locked from outside. I crawled over using my hands and feet, but was already locked inside. “Jace, let me out!” “My mother is still waiting for me. I can’t waste time here.” I screamed hoarsely, nearly desperate. “Jace, if anything happens to my mother, I’ll hate you forever!” Jace’s cold voice came through. “What could happen to your mom? She’s been on medication for three years and hasn’t died yet.” “I think I’ve been too good to you. You need to be taught a lesson.” I slumped powerlessly to the floor. Was this his idea of being good to me? Even our first meeting was a lie. Now I felt like I was standing in fog, seeing Jace less and less clearly. Then my phone rang. “Ms. Shaw, your mother couldn’t be resuscitated. Please accept our condolences.”

When the door opened, I took a long time to finally relearn how to walk, moving my steps. Jace reached out to support me, anxiously explaining, “Summer, I didn’t know Mom was really critically ill. If I’d known, how could I possibly…” I didn’t give him a single glance, walking straight past. What’s the point of saying these things now? The plot beside Dad’s grave was one Mom had bought for herself long ago. Now I came to see her off on her final journey. Tears fell like broken beads, one after another. My heart felt like it was being ground in a meat grinder. I couldn’t feel a single beat. I didn’t know if I was alive or dead. I numbly wiped the dust from my parents’ faces when suddenly a bouquet of chrysanthemums was placed beside me. “Mom, rest in peace. I’ll take good care of Summer.” My stomach churned violently. I almost vomited right there. “Don’t say such disgusting things in front of my mother. You’re polluting her ears.” I took a deep breath, wiped away my tears, keeping my tone as calm as possible. “Jace, let’s get divorced.” I thought he’d be happy I was voluntarily stepping aside. But his eyes remained indifferent. “After the divorce, where do you want to go?” “Riverport?” I looked up sharply. He remained calm and cold. “I’ve already declined Riverport University’s invitation on your behalf and recommended Vivian instead.” “Vivian will go in your place to advance her photography skills. I’ll stay with you and fulfill my duties as a husband.” I pushed him away and roared. “What gives you the right to make decisions for me!” “You know my life’s faith is to become a deep-sea photographer and fulfill my father’s last wish. I finally got this training opportunity, and you gave it to your mistress! What gives you the right!” “Who do you think you are? Who wants you to stay with them?” I raised my fists and pounded on him, but Jace just looked at me coldly. He was certain I couldn’t do anything about it. Just like when Dad’s camera was smashed to pieces—besides heartache, I could do nothing. “Jace, so you’re here! I found you!” Vivian skipped over and jumped into Jace’s arms. Pointing at Mom’s portrait, she yelled, “What is this thing!” “Jace, I had my eye on this plot long ago! The dog we raised together for nine years is buried here. How can we let some dirty thing disturb its peace!” Jace hesitated slightly. “But…” Vivian cried and made a scene. “I don’t care! I want Summer to dig out that old woman’s ashes and kneel to apologize to my dog!” “Otherwise I’ll never speak to you again!” Whenever Vivian used this tactic, Jace would absolutely obey. Sure enough, Jace looked at me. “Vivian is young. Just give in to her.” “Slap!” I used all my strength to deliver that slap. Staring coldly at Jace. “Are those even human words?” Vivian kept making a scene. Jace personally held me down. Just as my knees were about to hit the ground, a group of people holding cameras swarmed forward, practically shoving them in Vivian’s and Jace’s faces. “You’re the girl who disrupted the wedding a few days ago, right? What was your psychology when you publicly provoked your aunt?” “Miss Pool, rumors say you have an inappropriate relationship with Mr. Lambert. Is this true?” “Miss Pool, we heard you were adopted. You entered the wealthy Pool family at age five. Have you maintained this inappropriate relationship with Mr. Lambert since you were five?” “Mr. Lambert, we heard Miss Pool aborted a child. Was the child yours?”

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I’d been dating my boyfriend Matthew for three years, but he still refused to Mark me. He was the illegitimate son of an Alpha and a human woman, raised by his human mother from childhood. He endured relentless bullying and humiliation from purebred werewolves. So he hated werewolf customs and rituals. But he promised me that if I proposed to him 9 times, he would marry me. The first time, his human assistant Tiffany made a mistake at work. He rushed back to handle it, leaving me alone at the proposal venue. The second time, Tiffany knocked over the champagne tower. Glass shards cut my arm, but he rushed to take the terrified Tiffany to the hospital instead. He left me with just one sentence: “You can heal yourself anyway.” After that, no matter when I proposed, Tiffany always had some kind of trouble that needed him. By the ninth time, he still hadn’t accepted my proposal. My heart turned cold, and I finally decided to leave. After I left him, he went crazy searching for me everywhere. 0

Today was my ninth proposal to Matthew Blackwood. All our friends knew that Matthew had promised me that if I proposed to him 9 times, he would officially become my mate. My boyfriend had told me he was a werewolf raised by humans, so he deeply valued human ceremonies. So I carefully arranged the wedding venue time after time. I hoped to become his true mate and start a new family together. But the first 8 times, he left at the last minute. This was the ninth time, and also the last. Matthew assured me that this time he would definitely arrive on time. But as the ceremony time approached, Matthew, who should have been on stage, broke his promise once again. He called to tell me. “Tiffany hurt her leg. I need to take her to the hospital. Human bodies are fragile, unlike yours. Let’s cancel this proposal. Next time, I’ll definitely be there next time.” In three years of dating, this was the ninth time he’d cancelled our proposal ceremony because of Tiffany. If it had been before, I would have made a scene at this moment, demanding to know why he had to leave right now. But this time, I smiled softly. “It’s okay. Humans are indeed fragile. It would be bad if something happened.” Matthew paused slightly, seeming surprised by how agreeable I was being. “It’s good you can think that way. I’ll bring you that mango cake you like tonight.” I hummed in acknowledgment. The moment he hung up, I dropped the smile. He’d forgotten that I hated mangoes and despised eating cake. The person who loved mango cake wasn’t me. He’d bought one before to cheer me up. Not wanting to disappoint him, I forced myself to take a bite despite the nausea, only telling him afterward that I really hated mangoes and cake. When he found out, he immediately opened his phone and added it to his notes, saying he would never forget. Just one year later, “never” had passed. The scorching sun overhead made my whole body burn, but my heart remained ice cold. I laughed coldly and went back to announce the ceremony was cancelled. I knew that these three years of feelings should be cancelled along with it. I called my parents directly. My father was the Alpha of a powerful Pack in New York, and I was the Alpha’s daughter. With my status, Matthew wasn’t worthy of being my mate. It’s just that after turning 18, I never found my own mate. Until I met Matthew in college and was deeply attracted to him, coming here with him against my parents’ objections. He was the illegitimate son of the Shadowfen Pack’s Alpha and a human, raised by a human woman. Even after being brought back to the Shadowfen Pack, he was constantly mocked for never being able to shift. Because he hated when people flaunted their privileged families most of all. So for three years, I never told him my true background. Plus I told him I was mocked for never finding a mate. He always thought I was an ordinary werewolf who suffered bullying just like him. To prove himself, he worked desperately hard to gain the recognition of Alpha Silas of the Shadowfen Pack. Over three years, I worked with him at Alpha Silas’s company, helping him rise from the bottom to manager. Finally earning Alpha Silas’s recognition, who acknowledged his status as the Alpha’s son. He also promised me he would marry me soon. Everyone knew I was his girlfriend. So much so that everyone joked that fate must have made a mistake. Matthew and I should have been destined mates. Our lives got better and better. I thought Matthew wouldn’t mind my background anymore, but I never had the chance to tell him. Until he met that fragile human girl. He told me that girl reminded him of his own mother. So despite everyone’s objections, he broke protocol to hire her at the company and made her his assistant. Thinking about it, I sighed. In the end, I wouldn’t need to tell him after all. “Mom, Dad, I accept the arranged marriage. I’ll come home in three days.” My parents immediately replied. “Good girl, Mom and Dad will book your plane ticket right now!” 0

After handling everything, I returned home. As soon as I pushed open the door, I smelled sickly sweet perfume in the air, and the musky scent of sex. The living room lights were off. Only warm yellow light leaked from under the bedroom door that was left slightly ajar, along with… some scattered, sticky sounds. My heartbeat skipped. I walked over quietly. Two intertwined figures rose and fell on my bed. Tiffany’s long hair was messily scattered across Matthew’s pillow, her nails digging deep into his sweat-slicked back. Matthew was panting low, with an obsession I’d never heard before. No screaming. No questioning. I gently closed the door, shutting that sordid scene behind me. Then I took what few personal belongings I had and moved into a hotel. Fortunately, Matthew had always refused to Mark me all these years. Now I didn’t need to worry about how to break a mate bond. Early the next morning, I went to the company with my packed luggage to resign. Beta Thompson knew my identity and my relationship with Matthew. He was still trying to convince me to stay. Just then, Matthew walked in carrying documents. My eyes caught sight of the kiss marks on his neck and Tiffany’s perfume scent all over him. Clearly he’d been very satisfied last night. He used to hate when I left marks on him, saying it affected his work. So when we were intimate, I tried hard to control myself, or just gripped the sheets instead. He didn’t dislike being marked—he just didn’t want it to be by me. As soon as he walked in, the supervisor immediately spoke up. “Beta Thompson, your girlfriend wants to resign. Did you two have a fight?” “It has nothing to do with him.” “You want to resign?” Two voices rang out simultaneously. In the corner of my eye, I saw his gaze fixed tightly on me, lips pressed together. “Sure enough, you’re angry I cancelled the proposal ceremony yesterday, aren’t you?” Beta Thompson tactfully left to give us space. The moment the door closed, he stepped forward to question me. “I already told you yesterday Tiffany hurt her leg, that’s why I cancelled. How can you be so petty?” I tried to stay calm, looking up to lie. “I’m not angry. I’m resigning because I’m tired and want to take a vacation and rest.” He crossed his arms, frowning in confusion. “If you want a vacation, just take paid leave. If you suddenly resign like this, people will think you have a problem with Tiffany. How can she stay at the company then?” He’d forgotten. This year I’d already used up all my paid leave on every cancelled proposal ceremony of his. And people’s alienation of Tiffany was largely because she lacked ability but was hired through special treatment. Just because Tiffany reminded him of his own fragile human mother. I shifted my gaze back to the lipstick mark on his neck, saying nothing. He noticed and instinctively covered his neck. “I accidentally scratched myself. Don’t overthink it.” I laughed coldly inside. This excuse was too clumsy. Werewolves had extremely strong healing abilities. How could such a mark remain? But I nodded, not exposing his lie. Matthew breathed a sigh of relief. Thinking I’d calmed down, he smiled and put his arm around my shoulders. “That’s more like it. Being generous is what qualifies you to stand by my side. Stop making a fuss about resigning. Tonight I’ll take you to Moonlight Restaurant for French food, okay? Consider it compensation.” I still didn’t speak. He took it as agreement. The thought of saying a proper goodbye was pushed down inside me. Now I didn’t want to tell him about going to New York. “Matthew!” Just then, Tiffany pushed the door open without knocking. Matthew was startled and immediately let go of me. Tiffany smiled apologetically. “Sorry to interrupt your date with Lily, but I had no choice. I don’t quite understand this project…” Hearing this, Matthew walked toward her without looking back, taking the documents from Tiffany’s hands and asking patiently what she didn’t understand. Tiffany deliberately stood very close. The two of them whispered in front of me, forming a barrier. Then Tiffany pulled Matthew outside. The moment the door closed, she turned back with a provocative smile. In that instant, I saw the clear bite mark on her neck. No wonder he didn’t want to Mark me. He’d already fallen in love with that human. In the empty room, only my breathing could be heard. The next second, the gemstone necklace around my neck fell and shattered on the floor. Without reason. That was the anniversary gift Matthew gave me on our first year together. He’d said he hoped our relationship would be like that gemstone—forever beautiful and solid. I was silent for a long time, finally calmly cleaning up the fragments, along with what remained of my reluctance to let go, throwing it all in the trash. After getting Alpha Silas’s approval, I returned to my workstation to hand over my remaining work. Chris, the colleague taking over from me, usually got along well with me. Learning I was leaving, she seemed reluctant to part. “Lily, are you really leaving?” “Then won’t I have to watch those two showing off in front of me every day!” Following her gaze, Matthew was explaining the project to Tiffany. Tiffany seemed unhappy after being mildly scolded by Matthew. Matthew sighed and suddenly pulled out a sparkling platinum diamond bracelet from his suit pocket. She immediately broke into a smile, putting it on right there, even holding it up to the light to look at it. Then she met my eyes and stood up in apparent panic. “Lily, Matthew and I have no relationship. It’s just an ordinary bracelet!” As soon as she said this, everyone’s eyes immediately wandered between her and me. In three years of dating, the most expensive gift Matthew ever gave me was probably that necklace that just shattered. And Tiffany, who’d only been here less than a year, had already received bags, shoes, and now a diamond bracelet. Everyone thought I was pitiful. Even Chris standing beside me was indignant on my behalf. “You’re still boyfriend and girlfriend, and they’re playing you for a fool!” I pressed down on her hand, shaking my head repeatedly, signaling her not to impulsively start a fight, then continued looking at Tiffany. “The bracelet is very sparkly. It suits you.” Tiffany, not seeing me lose my temper, seemed unwilling and continued. “Lily, it’s really not expensive. Please don’t be angry at Matthew…” I just found it baffling. Angry? No need. My mother’s jewelry box had countless bracelets like this. I just never wore them to the company. 0

Hearing Tiffany’s words, Matthew stood up, looking at me with displeasure. “Lily, mind the setting. Don’t make a scene.” I sighed and shook my head. “I’m not making a scene. You two are being too sensitive.” My calmness surprised him. He snorted coldly. “You’d better really think that way.” He pulled Tiffany to sit down, comforting her in a low voice. Chris couldn’t help asking me, “You’re just letting it go like this?” I continued organizing documents, shrugging. “What else? In my heart, the relationship is already over.” At closing time, Matthew unusually came to my workstation. “Let’s go. I made a reservation at Moonlight Restaurant for seven-thirty.” His gaze swept over my bare neck and he suddenly froze, asking somewhat urgently, “Where’s the necklace I gave you?” “Put it away. Afraid of losing it.” He clearly relaxed, smiling. “You wore it every day before. Now you know to treasure it?” I didn’t answer, because Tiffany had already fluttered over like a butterfly, dangling car keys in her hand. “Matthew, I brought your car up from the garage for you! It’s downstairs.” Matthew was immediately drawn to her, nodding. “Wait for me in the car.” I watched Tiffany skip lightly toward his sports car, smoothly opening the passenger door and getting in. In three years of dating, I’d never sat in that seat. He said it was reserved exclusively for his future wife. At this moment, through the car window, Tiffany cast me a look mixing pity and provocation. I calmly looked away, my heart a numb silence. In the private room at Moonlight Restaurant, Matthew pulled out a chair for Tiffany. Then the two of them huddled together discussing the menu, but no one asked my opinion. After the main course, Tiffany suggested going to the terrace to see the night view. I didn’t want to follow, but Matthew forcibly brought me along. Tiffany, wearing stiletto heels, walked beside me. “Can you take a photo of Matthew and me?” She suddenly came over and grabbed my hand. I was about to shake her off. Just then, Tiffany let out a short cry and fell to the ground with a thud. “Tiffany!” Matthew’s face changed drastically. He rushed forward in one stride, holding her tightly in his arms, his voice carrying a panic I’d never heard before. “Are you okay? Where are you hurt?” Tiffany leaned in his arms, her eyes instantly reddening. “I’m… I’m fine… I was careless, didn’t stand steady… It’s not Lily’s fault. She might just… just not like me very much…” “She’s like this and you’re still speaking for her!” Matthew suddenly looked up, his gaze like a blade stabbing at me. “Lily! I didn’t think you could be so vicious! Pushing her? How could you do that!” “I didn’t push her.” I stood there, my voice so calm it surprised even myself. “Still lying?!” Matthew strode up to me. His figure appeared especially tall in the night and lamplight, carrying an intimidating pressure. I clearly saw the veins bulging at his temples. “I was just standing here. She herself…” “Enough!” The sound of a loud slap cut off all my unspoken words. A burning sting spread across my cheek, my ears ringing. I turned my head, tasting a faint rusty flavor on my tongue. “That slap was to pay you back on Tiffany’s behalf.” Matthew’s voice was ice cold and piercing. “Apologize to her. Now. Immediately.” Tiffany’s sobbing rose at just the right moment, full of helplessness and grievance. I slowly turned my face back, looking directly at Matthew. “Apologize?” I stepped forward. Under Matthew’s slightly stunned gaze, I picked up my purse that I’d left on the chair. Then I said: “I’m sorry for wasting your time watching such a boring show.” With that, without waiting for his reaction, I turned and left. I walked straight to the waiting taxi by the roadside. My phone vibrated in my bag. I didn’t need to look to know who it was. I got in the car, told the driver the airport location, then took out my phone. Matthew’s messages filled the screen: “Where are you going? Come back and make things clear!” “Tiffany sprained her wrist. I’m very disappointed.” “It’s just a slap. You’ll heal quickly. Don’t throw a tantrum over such a small thing!” “Answer the phone! Or don’t expect me to marry you.” The last one said: “Fine. If you have the guts, don’t come back!” I replied expressionlessly. “Okay.” By the time I was about to board, he sent another message. “I have to take care of Tiffany tonight, so I won’t come home. Take care of yourself at home.” I laughed coldly, already understanding everything. “It’s fine. You can even live at her place. I’ve already moved my luggage and left. We won’t have any relationship from now on.” “Matthew, goodbye forever.” After sending him the last message, I immediately blocked and deleted him.

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After eight years together, Ethan Pierce promised me his company’s IPO would be my wedding gift. But on the night the Lancaster family went bankrupt, he wanted to extract our daughter’s bone marrow to save his mistress’s son. When I signed the divorce papers, I finally learned the truth, this marriage had been his way of tearing down the Lancaster family from the very start. It wasn’t until Adrian Cooper appeared in my life, the man who had waited twelve years for me, that Ethan finally knelt in the rain, banging on my door. “Autumn, I regret everything!” I deleted his number and whispered to my daughter. “From now on, Adrian is your father.” Autumn Lancaster POV Eighth year together, fifth year of marriage. Lancaster Industries went bankrupt. That same night, the tallest building in downtown Manhattan lit up with massive LED displays announcing Ethan Pierce’s company going public. And he was at Mount Sinai Hospital’s VIP ward, keeping his childhood sweetheart Sylvia Sterling company. Sylvia updated her social media with a new post. The photo showed Ethan leaning back on a couch, his profile exhausted in sleep, still wearing the custom suit I’d ironed for him that morning. The caption read: “The one who shelters me from every storm has always been you. Even if the whole world misunderstands me, I only need you.” I stared at those words for a long time. Eight years ago, when Ethan first introduced me to his friends, he’d said something similar. It was at a college reunion after graduation. He protected me from behind, smiling at those teasing him. “Cut it out, she’s shy.” Someone asked him. “When did you finally win over Autumn?” He’d had a few drinks and smiled with pride. “I didn’t chase her.” He said, “I finally waited until she came back to me. For this lifetime, she’s the only one I want.” I calmly saved the image, then placed the signed divorce agreement on the coffee table in the living room. Ethan returned early the next morning. Seeing me sitting by the couch, he froze for a moment. Then he loosened his tie, his tone carrying a victor’s condescension. “Autumn, what happened to the Lancaster family can’t be reversed. That’s just business. If I hadn’t swallowed Lancaster Industries, someone else would have.” He walked over, habitually reaching to touch my face. “But don’t worry. I promised your father I’d take care of you for life. Even without the Lancaster family, you’re still the glamorous Mrs. Pierce.” He called me the glamorous Mrs. Pierce, but when I married him, there was no such thing as Mrs. Pierce yet. Ethan proposed to me in a small restaurant in New York. His hands trembled with nerves as he handed me the ring box and said. “Autumn, I have nothing right now.” “But I’ll work myself to death to make money.” “I’ll make sure everyone knows that marrying me isn’t marrying down.” That day, everyone in the restaurant watched us. He knelt on one knee, looking up at me, his eyes shining frighteningly bright. “Autumn Lancaster.” “Will you take a chance on me?” I smiled and nodded. I bet on him for life. Turns out he only bet eight years. I turned my head away, avoiding his hand, and pushed the agreement in front of him. “Ethan, sign it.” Ethan’s hand froze mid-air. He glanced down at the title, his expression darkening instantly. “Autumn, what are you pulling now?” He grabbed the agreement, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it on the floor. “The Lancaster family just went bankrupt and you’re already asking for divorce? What will people think of me? That I’m burning bridges?” “Isn’t that exactly what you’re doing?” I asked back. “I said I’d take care of you!” Ethan’s voice rose, anger seeping through. “Besides losing the title of Lancaster heir, you haven’t lost anything! What more do you want from me?” I looked up, quietly studying this man I’d loved for eight years. “I want a divorce. I don’t want anything except our daughter. Whatever’s left of the Lancaster mess, along with my shares in Pierce Corporation-I’m giving it all up.” “Impossible.” Ethan rejected it flatly. “Maya Pierce is Pierce family blood. I will never hand her over to you.” “Pierce family blood?” I suddenly felt like laughing. “Ethan, do you really love Maya?” “What do you mean by that?” “Sylvia’s son has leukemia, and Maya just happens to be a match. You think I don’t know what you’ve been doing for the past two weeks, running Maya through every medical test imaginable?” Ethan jerked back half a step. “You don’t want a divorce?” I stood up, pulling my suitcase. “Fine. Then we’ll drag this out. But as long as I have breath in my body, neither you nor Sylvia will lay a finger on my daughter.” “Autumn!” Ethan grabbed my wrist. “Let me explain. It’s not what you think. Sylvia is just…” “Just a poor single mother?” I interrupted, prying his fingers off one by one. “Ethan, you’ve been playing the devoted husband for eight years. Aren’t you tired? I’m exhausted just watching.”

Autumn Lancaster POV Ethan and I used to be the model couple in our circle. He doted on me endlessly. I couldn’t eat onions, so no matter how late his business dinners ran, he’d always detour to downtown to buy me cream pasta without onions. When I had complications delivering Maya, he cried like a child outside the delivery room, swearing in front of all his friends that he’d never let me suffer again. The year Maya was born, he posted photos of our daughter on social media almost every day. The first photo he took after Maya was born was of a tiny wrinkled foot. The caption read: “My life’s greatest masterpiece.” Back then, Ethan’s company hadn’t gone public yet. He was so busy his feet barely touched the ground. But whenever he came home, the first thing he did was hold Maya. Once when Maya ran a fever in the middle of the night, I panicked and cried. He carried our child and paced the living room all night long. By dawn his eyes were red, but he still smiled at me. “It’s okay. I’m here.” When Maya turned two, Ethan’s company hit a crisis. To help him, I dragged myself to entertain investors despite just having had appendix surgery, drinking until I developed a stomach ulcer and ended up in emergency care. When I woke up, Ethan was kneeling by my hospital bed, slapping himself twice across the face. “Autumn, I swear to God, once I get through this, I’ll give you my life.” He did manage to take his company public. But he gave his life to Sylvia instead. I discovered Sylvia’s existence six months ago. Ethan’s old phone was charging in a drawer when the screen lit up. A text from an unsaved number: “Ethan, Noah asked about you again today. He says he misses your cheese baked shrimp.” I unlocked the phone using Ethan’s birthday. Inside was just one hidden social media account. He’d transfer money to Sylvia late at night, noting it as “Noah’s medical expenses.” He’d help Sylvia pick out necklaces. When she complained about the hardship of raising a child alone, he’d reply: “Wait for me. Soon.” What pierced me most was a photo Sylvia sent of Maya. It was from the day Ethan took Maya to the amusement park. Sylvia commented below: “I wish Noah could be as healthy as Maya.” Ethan replied: “He will be. Noah will get better. Whatever Maya has, Noah will have too.” In that moment, the blood in my veins ran cold. I finally understood why he’d suddenly become so concerned about Maya’s health. I finally understood why when Lancaster Industries’ cash flow broke, not only didn’t he help, but he pushed things along. He wanted to drain the Lancaster family of its last drop of blood to pave his road to marrying Sylvia. He wanted to use my daughter’s bone and blood to save his beloved’s son. “Mommy?” From the second-floor stairway came Maya’s childish voice. She hugged an old stuffed rabbit, rubbing her sleepy eyes, timidly watching us in our standoff. Ethan’s expression changed. He immediately put on a gentle smile, reaching out to her. “Maya, did we wake you? Come here, Daddy will hold you.” Maya didn’t move. She looked at Ethan, then at the suitcase in my hand. Then she ran downstairs and hugged my leg tightly. “Mommy, where are we going?” Ethan’s hand froze in mid-air. “Maya, I’m just discussing something with Mommy.” Ethan tried to pull her. “Mommy isn’t going anywhere.” “We’re leaving.” I touched Maya’s head, not sparing Ethan another glance. “Autumn!” Ethan blocked the doorway, eyes red. “If you dare step out this door today, I’ll immediately stop dealing with the Lancaster mess! And your brother Lucas won’t have it easy either!” I stopped, turned around, looked at his face twisted with anger, and smiled slightly. “Fine, Ethan.” I pulled out my phone, opened a pre-drafted report email, my finger hovering over the send button. “Want to guess what happens if I send this internal ledger documenting Pierce Corporation’s tax evasion, double bookkeeping, and illegal seizure of Lancaster assets to the federal authorities? Will the position of Mrs. Pierce that Sylvia’s been dreaming about still be secure?” Ethan stood frozen, staring at my phone screen in disbelief. “Did you think these eight years I was really just some foolish woman who only revolved around you?” I put away my phone and pushed past his rigid body. “Ethan, game over.”

Autumn Lancaster POV The moment the car started, I saw through the rearview mirror that Ethan was still standing in the doorway. I didn’t return to the Lancaster estate. The Lancaster mansion had long been seized by the bank. I took Maya to an old apartment in Brooklyn-a small place I’d bought after college graduation. Ethan had always found it too remote and desolate. He said. “You’re Mrs. Pierce now. You don’t need to live in a place like this.” So in the eight years we were together, I never came back here. Maya sat on the couch, hugging her stuffed rabbit, asking me quietly. “Mommy, are we not keeping Daddy anymore?” I crouched down to look at her. “Does Maya want Daddy?” She lowered her head and thought for a long time, then shook her head. “Daddy’s been really mean lately.” My chest tightened. Even a three-year-old could see it. But it took me eight years. The next day, Ethan called. “Autumn.” Ethan’s voice was terribly hoarse. “Where are you?” “Does it concern you?” “Stop being stubborn, okay?” His voice was pressed low, as if he was holding back. “I can explain about Sylvia. Just come home first. Maya is still young. She can’t be running around with you.” “Ethan.” I interrupted him. “What’s Sylvia’s son’s name again? Noah?” Silence for several seconds on the other end. “I checked. Five years old, leukemia, acute type. Over the past six months, you’ve taken him to every blood disease hospital across America, right?” “Autumn…” “You love him so much, why didn’t you say so earlier?” I asked calmly. “If you’d told me five years ago you had this illegitimate child, I wouldn’t have married you.” “He’s not my son!” Ethan nearly shouted. “Noah isn’t my child. He’s Sylvia’s with her ex-husband! I’m just helping her!” I laughed. “Ethan, do you even believe that yourself?” He went silent. “Do you know what I saw in that hidden social media account?” I said slowly. “Every message you sent Sylvia, every photo, every transfer.” “That necklace you picked for her? I looked at it three times in the boutique but couldn’t bring myself to buy it.” “The day you celebrated her birthday, you told me the company had a business dinner.” “The day you took Noah to the aquarium, you told me you were on a business trip.” “Those were just…” “You said whatever Maya has, Noah will have too.” I asked softly. “Ethan, what does Noah want? Does he want my daughter’s blood?” A heavy breath came from the other end. “I didn’t mean it that way.” Ethan’s voice dropped. “The match was just a coincidence. I never thought about it.” “You never thought about it?” I stood up and walked to the door. “Then what were you doing these past two weeks, putting Maya through every medical test?” “Forcing her to eat those blood-building supplements every day-what was that for?” “You wouldn’t even let her touch her favorite strawberries, saying it might affect her test results-what was that about?” He didn’t answer. “Ethan,” I said, “were you waiting for her to be well-nourished, fattened up, before taking her to extract her bone marrow?” “Autumn!” Ethan roared. “What do you take me for? An animal?” “Then tell me,” I said, word by word, “what are you?” Only heavy breathing remained on the other end. I hung up.

Autumn Lancaster POV That afternoon, I took Maya grocery shopping. Pushing the cart through the aisles, I suddenly realized it had been years since I’d shopped for myself. At the Pierce house, the housekeepers did these things. All I had to do was attend galas I didn’t want to go to and deal with people I didn’t know. Maya sat in the cart, holding a bag of chips. “Mommy, can we buy this?” “Yes.” “Mommy, can we buy that?” “Yes.” She blinked, hardly believing it. At the Pierce house, the high-priced parenting expert Ethan hired had rules: Maya could only have sweets once a day, no snacks, limited tablet time, couldn’t do this, couldn’t do that. Ethan never said anything. Whatever the expert said, he followed. “Mommy, will the parenting expert be angry?” I pushed the cart forward. “Maya, from now on, whatever you want to eat or play with, just tell Mommy.” “Really?” “Really.” She cheered, almost jumping out of the cart. At checkout, my phone rang again. This time it was a message, from Sylvia. She sent a photo. In it, Ethan sat in a hospital corridor, hands covering his face, shoulders slightly trembling. Beside him was Sylvia’s hand, gently resting on his shoulder. “He’s really hurting.” “For you, and for Noah. Autumn, don’t blame him. If you want to blame someone, blame me.” “If you have any conscience at all, come back and talk to him properly. Maya is a Pierce child. You can’t take her away.” I stared at the photo for a long time. Then I took a screenshot and saved it. After checking out, I pushed Maya out of the supermarket. “Mommy, aren’t we going home?” “We are going home.” I said. “To our home.” Passing a law office, I stopped. A business card was posted on the glass door: Adrian Cooper, Partner Attorney. Maya tugged my hand. “Mommy?” “It’s nothing.” I pushed her forward. “Mommy’s just thinking about something.” That evening, after putting Maya to bed, I sat alone on the balcony. The old apartment’s balcony was tiny, barely fitting one chair. I sat there, watching the lights in the apartment complexes across the way, listening to the sounds from downstairs, feeling strangely calm. For the first time in eight years, I felt this calm. At 2 a.m., Maya woke up again. I held her, pacing in the small room, gently patting her back. “Mommy, I’m scared.” “Scared of what?” “Scared Daddy will come find me.” My heart clenched. “Why would Daddy come find you?” She buried herself in my embrace, not speaking. I gently stroked her hair. Two weeks ago, when Ethan took Maya for a checkup, her mood had been off when they returned. I asked what was wrong. She said the blood draw hurt a little. Looking back now, that was probably the first time. Then came the second, the third. Ethan said the company arranged annual checkups for employees’ families, and Maya’s was just routine. I didn’t think much of it. Who would think in that direction? Who would imagine a father would scheme against his own daughter? But he wasn’t an ordinary father. He was a father who kept saying Noah would have everything too. That child had leukemia and urgently needed a bone marrow transplant. The odds of a successful match were extremely low, yet Maya matched. There are no such coincidences in this world. I held Maya until dawn.

Autumn Lancaster POV Three days later, I met Adrian Cooper. He was my high school classmate. We’d sat at the same desk for two days. Back then he was the poorest student in class, wearing faded old clothes, eating only the cheapest bread for lunch. I was the Lancaster heir, with chauffeurs picking me up, imported snacks in my backpack. We shouldn’t have had any connection. In sophomore year, Adrian’s mother fell critically ill and needed a large sum for surgery. He worked at a coffee shop near school until the early morning hours every day. I learned about this when I passed the coffee shop after school one day and saw him. His first reaction upon seeing me was to turn his head away. I said nothing. The next day I slipped a check for fifty thousand dollars-my saved allowance-into his desk drawer. He chased after me, cornering me in the hallway. “Autumn, what’s the meaning of this?” “No meaning.” I said. “It’s a loan. Just pay it back later.” He stared at me for a long time, his eyes reddening. Later he got into Harvard Law School and after graduating joined New York’s top firm. His mother’s surgery was successful. She’s still alive. The fifty thousand dollars. He paid it back his first year after graduation, with interest. I refused the interest, so he said. “If you ever need help with anything, just ask.” Over a decade passed. We’d never been in contact. But now, I needed a lawyer. Adrian Cooper’s law office was in Manhattan’s most expensive office tower. When I brought Maya upstairs, the receptionist warmly greeted us. “Are you Autumn? Adrian is waiting for you.” The office was large, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the entire city skyline. Adrian stood by the window. Hearing us, he turned around. He was much taller than in high school, wearing a charcoal suit and gold-rimmed glasses, exuding an air of steady composure. But when he saw me, he smiled, the curve of his mouth exactly the same as a dozen years ago. “Autumn.” He walked over. “Long time no see.” “Long time no see.” He looked down at Maya and crouched. “Little one, what’s your name?” Maya hid behind me, peeking out. “Maya.” “Maya, that’s a beautiful name.” He took a candy from the desk. “Want some candy?” Maya looked at me. I nodded. She accepted it, saying softly. “Thank you.” Adrian arranged for an intern to take Maya to the lounge, then invited me to sit and personally poured water. “So, what’s the matter?” I placed the divorce agreement and the photo Sylvia sent in front of him. He read carefully, his brow gradually furrowing. “This Sylvia Sterling. Who is she?” “Ethan’s childhood sweetheart.” I said. “They grew up together. Later Sylvia married someone else and went abroad. Five years ago she came back with her child, saying she’d divorced.” “When did you find out?” “Six months ago.” Adrian took off his glasses, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Autumn,” he looked up at me, “do you want to leave, or do you want to fight?” “Both.” I said, “But most importantly, Maya. I absolutely cannot let Ethan get custody of her.” “Reason?” I explained about Ethan’s medical tests on Maya these past two weeks. Adrian’s frown deepened. “Do you have evidence? Proof that he wants Maya to donate bone marrow to that child?” “No.” I said. “But he has the motive.” “Motive isn’t evidence.” Adrian leaned back. “And legally speaking, bone marrow donation requires guardian consent. You’re the child’s mother. As long as you don’t agree, he can’t make that decision.” “What if he gets custody?” Adrian fell silent. “He’ll find a way.” I said. “Sylvia’s child can’t wait much longer.” “Did Ethan love me? Perhaps, once.” “But he loves Sylvia more.” “For Sylvia, he’s capable of anything.” Adrian looked at me, something in his gaze I couldn’t read. “Autumn,” he asked, “do you love him?” I froze. Love him? I did once. Loved him for eight years. From twenty to twenty-eight, a woman’s best eight years. I accompanied him from having nothing to a net worth of hundreds of millions, through the hardest startup period, entertaining clients until I developed a stomach ulcer, living in cramped basement apartments and then penthouse suites, giving birth to his daughter. I once thought that was love. I once thought we’d be together forever. But that night, when Manhattan’s tallest building lit up with displays celebrating his company going public, when the entire city celebrated his success, he was in a hospital VIP ward keeping his childhood sweetheart company. Standing on the ruins of my family name. He wore the suit I’d ironed, leaning on a couch beside her, asleep. She photographed it, posted it online with the caption: “The one who shelters me has always been you.” In that moment I understood. The Ethan I loved never existed. What I loved was someone I’d imagined. What I loved was a dream I’d woven through eight years of youth. “I don’t love him anymore.” I said. “Haven’t for a long time.”

Autumn Lancaster POV Adrian looked at me and suddenly smiled. “That’s good.” He said. “I’ll take this case.” When we left the law office, it was already dark. Maya held my hand, walking and asking. “Mommy, is that man your friend?” “Mm, he’s Mommy’s old classmate.” “He’s a good person. He gave me candy.” I smiled, saying nothing. Waiting at a crosswalk for the light, a black Mercedes slowly stopped beside us. The window rolled down, and Ethan’s face appeared. He’d lost a lot of weight, eyes sunken, unshaven, his suit wrinkled-a far cry from his high spirits three days ago. “Autumn.” His voice was hoarse. “Get in.” Maya shrank behind me. I stood still. “You want to talk here?” He glanced around. “Fine by me, as long as you don’t care about being seen.” “I don’t care.” I answered. “I have nothing left. What is there to care about?” Ethan pushed open the car door and stepped out, standing before me. “Come back with me.” “No.” “Autumn!” His voice rose. “What exactly do you want? I said I’d take care of you, I said I’d look after you for life. What more do you want?” I looked up at him. That face. I used to know it so well. I’d watched it countless mornings when I woke up, secretly kissing his brow while he slept. I once thought we’d grow old together, watch our daughter grow up, become elderly together. But now, I only felt he was a stranger. “Ethan,” I said, “do you remember what you said the day we went to City Hall to register our marriage?” He froze. “You said that for this lifetime, you’d protect me completely, never let me suffer even the slightest grievance.” I smiled slightly. “Do you remember?” He didn’t speak. “And in fact, that night you were at Sylvia’s.” I stared at him intently. “The night we celebrated our wedding, I waited for you in our room while you were out drinking with friends.” I said. “I sat on the bed waiting all night. You didn’t come back. The next day you explained it was a company emergency. I believed you.” “Autumn…” “Later I learned that night Sylvia had returned to New York.” “She called you, said she was at the airport with her child, alone with nowhere to go. You went immediately, then stayed at her place all night.” Ethan’s face went white. “You’ve been lying to me ever since.” I said. “Five years. A full five years.” “That’s not true.” He grabbed my wrist. “Autumn, let me explain. There’s really nothing between Sylvia and me. She’s just… she’s just a friend I grew up with. When she’s in trouble I can’t ignore it. I don’t have those kinds of feelings for her…” “Don’t have those feelings?” I shook off his hand. “Then tell me, why was the necklace you bought her the exact one I looked at three times in the boutique but couldn’t bring myself to buy? Why did you tell me you had a business dinner on her birthday? Why did you tell me you were on a business trip when you took her son to the aquarium?” He didn’t answer. “Speak.” “Autumn, those were all things she requested. She’s raising a child alone, it’s not easy. Sometimes she complains to me and I just soften for a moment…” “Soften?” I laughed. “Ethan, who have you ever softened for? Me? The day Lancaster Industries went bankrupt, where were you? You were with her. The day your company went public, where were you? Still with her. When I had complications delivering Maya, where were you? You were at the airport picking her up.” “That day she’d just gotten off the plane with Noah. No one was there to meet her. She didn’t know anyone…” “So?” I interrupted. “So her convenience is worth more than my life?” Ethan stood stunned. “Ethan,” I said, “let’s get divorced.” Ethan stood motionless. I took Maya’s hand and walked around him, continuing forward. “Autumn!” He called from behind. “If you leave, the Lancaster family is truly finished! Lucas is still in there. Who’ll pay for your father’s medical bills? You…” I stopped, turned around, and looked at him. “Ethan,” I said, “do you think I’m still that Autumn you could manipulate at will?” I pulled out my phone, opening that report email. “I’ve already sent this material to Adrian Cooper. You should still remember him, right? Harvard Law graduate, now one of the top lawyers.” “If anything happens to me, he’ll send this email immediately. Want to guess whether the federal authorities would be interested in your public company after seeing this?” Ethan’s face went completely white. “You… you’ve been prepared all along?” “I told you,” I smiled slightly, “these eight years, I wasn’t just some foolish woman revolving around you.” “Everything you’ve done, I’ve kept track of. Including evidence of you seizing Lancaster assets, including all your transfer records with Sylvia, including those materials you forged when finding bone marrow matches for Noah.” He stepped back. “Autumn…” “Ethan,” I looked at him, “game over. You won against Lancaster Industries, but you haven’t won against me yet.” With that, I turned and left. This time, he didn’t chase after me.

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After my divorce from Julian Rivers, he begged me to remarry him a hundred times. I refused every single one. On the hundred and first time, I said yes. Only because his dying mother guilted me into it, trading the favor of saving me from kidnappers three years ago for three months of a contract marriage. When those three months ended, I should have walked away unscathed. Instead, he personally beat me half to death and threw me out of the house, just to make space for his returning first love. He thought I would die in that snowy night. But when we met again, he knelt in the rain begging me to come back, while I held my new boyfriend’s hand. “Excuse me, sir. You’re making us late for our wedding dress fitting.” Melanie Johnson POV After Julian Rivers and I divorced, he begged me to remarry him 99 times. Julian knew I loved adventure, so he prepared the most romantic rose-covered hot air balloon for me, took me to see fireworks by the Seine in Paris, and accompanied me to chase the Northern Lights in Iceland. Everything I had ever wanted, Julian gave me. But even so, after 100 marriage proposals, I still hadn’t agreed. Then came the 101st time. Julian knelt before me and asked to get back together. “Melanie, this is my 101st proposal. This time, will you marry me again?!” I looked at the man before me, but my thoughts drifted back to the beginning, when I first met Julian. Back then, he pretended to be a poor guy. But I didn’t care about his money or status. I just loved him for who he was, so I married him without a second thought. But shortly after the wedding, I gradually discovered some strange things. For instance, Julian would often stare at his phone in the middle of the night. Once, I accidentally glimpsed a woman’s photo on the screen. I was about to ask who she was, but Julian quickly put his phone away. I didn’t think much of it. After all, back then I trusted him completely. But later, similar scenes became more and more frequent. He would get blackout drunk on certain specific days, or receive a phone call that left him distracted for an entire day. When I asked what was wrong, he’d just say it was work and tell me not to worry. Then a sudden kidnapping changed everything. I was locked in a basement for five whole days. The kidnappers demanded my husband deliver five million dollars, plus a promise that the Rivers family would stop monopolizing their industry. That’s when I learned my husband wasn’t some poor guy, but the billionaire heir to the Rivers family fortune. But four days passed, and Julian didn’t come. I waited and waited in the darkness. The injuries on my body grew worse with each failed escape attempt. But I believed Julian must be figuring something out. He must be more anxious than anyone. Then, on the fifth day of my captivity, the kidnappers threw me a phone. On the screen was surveillance footage from a bar. Julian sat in a corner booth, drinking glass after glass. On his phone was a photo, that familiar photo of the woman I’d glimpsed before. I watched my husband stare at that photo for the longest time. In that moment, something viciously squeezed my heart. The pain was unbearable. When I was being beaten, he was drinking. When I was desperately trying to escape, he was grieving over another woman. Who was she? Who could be worth my husband completely disregarding my life or death, even getting drunk over a photo in a bar every day while I was kidnapped? Later, I learned that the days I was kidnapped coincided with the news of Moira Templeton’s death. And Moira was his beloved first love, the girlfriend he’d dated for years before they broke up. Later, I was rescued by Julian’s mother, who paid the ransom. They sent me to the hospital. I was unconscious for three days. When I woke up, I learned I’d lost the ability to have children. At that time, I cried in that hospital bed for three days and three nights. But what truly chilled my heart wasn’t the devastating news about losing my fertility. It was that Julian never once appeared. Not until the day I was discharged did Julian finally show up. He stood in the hospital room doorway, looking haggard, his eyes red. I looked at him, waiting for him to speak, waiting for an explanation. But he just stood there, opened his mouth, and finally said, “You… take care of yourself.” Then Julian just turned and left. Later I learned he was rushing to the airport that day. Someone said they’d found Moira’s body, and he had to personally go retrieve it. That day, lying in my hospital bed, listening to nurses gossip about how devoted billionaire Julian was, I suddenly laughed. Turns out, from beginning to end, what I thought was love was just him settling. And I was merely a substitute during his first love’s absence. I initiated the divorce. On the day of the divorce, Julian asked me with red-rimmed eyes, “How can you be so heartless?” I didn’t answer. I wanted to ask: During those five days I was kidnapped, where were you? When I was lying in the hospital losing my ability to have children, where were you? When I needed you, who were you getting drunk over? But I didn’t ask any of it. There was no point. After that came those 98 remarriage proposals. Hot air balloons, fireworks, Northern Lights. Julian suddenly seemed enlightened, making every romantic thing I’d ever mentioned come true. But looking at this man kneeling before me, my heart no longer felt a single ripple. I knew what he was thinking. But so what? Then Julian’s mother became critically ill. She lay in the hospital bed, tears filling the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. “Melanie, I know the Rivers family wronged you. But I still want to ask you, agree to Julian’s 99th proposal. Consider it…fulfilling the contract from when I saved you three years ago.” “Julian still needs time to establish his position in the company. The Rivers family shares need him to inherit them. Just three months. As his wife in name, help him for three months. Once he gets what he needs to get… whether you want to leave or stay, the Rivers family and you will have no further connection.” I looked at this elder who had once saved me. After a long silence, I finally nodded. So now I stood here, and amid everyone’s blessings, I finally slowly extended my hand. “I do.” “That’s wonderful! Melanie, I love you! I’ve never minded that you can’t have children. This time I swear I’ll love you properly and never lose you again…” Julian cried like a child. He reached out and hugged me tightly, but there was no emotion whatsoever in my eyes. Three months. I would play the role of a good wife by his side, help Julian smoothly inherit everything after his mother’s death, to fulfill the contract she’d made before passing. I nodded, having just calmed Julian down. But before I could ask about the remarriage timeline, I saw the man beside me, who had been so excited just moments ago, suddenly freeze in place. And the friends Julian had specially invited also stopped their congratulations and fell silent. In that moment, I saw disbelief on everyone’s faces. “Julian, I’m sorry for making you worry. I’m three years late, but… I’m back.” In the distance, a woman with slightly red eyes, wearing a white dress, slowly appeared in everyone’s view. I froze in place. Even though I’d never seen her before, I recognized at a glance that this woman was the lover Julian had cried over every night in the bar three years ago, looking at her photo…

Melanie Johnson POV Moira’s return was like a blade suddenly severing my previously smooth life. Julian never mentioned remarriage to me again. He even asked me to temporarily move out of our marital home. “Why should I move out? You already proposed to me yesterday. What’s wrong with me living in our marital home?” I stood blocking Julian and Moira, who stood beside him. My gaze was calm, but my feet didn’t budge an inch. “Melanie, don’t be so unreasonable.” Julian’s expression darkened. “Moira barely survived, not to mention she just returned to the country. She has nowhere to stay. Provide her some help. Why are you being so petty about it?” “Besides, can’t the Johnson family even provide you with a place to live? If that’s the case, I don’t mind personally calling your father to ask.” Julian spoke vaguely, but I still turned pale. He clearly knew that the Johnson family now only got a small share of the energy industry from the Rivers family. If Julian really abandoned the Johnson family, what could I do? Moreover, if not for fulfilling the contract terms, perhaps I wouldn’t have gotten involved with Julian again at all. I stopped talking. It was only three months. As long as I endured until Julian completed the equity transfer and the new year in January arrived, I could leave… “I can agree to everything else, but moving out-no.” My attitude remained firm, but I no longer mentioned remarriage. “Since you want to stay here so badly, you can’t just freeload without doing anything.” Julian pressed his lips together, thinking for a moment. “How about you stay by Moira’s side, help her get familiar with the environment, and make her some pancakes and sandwiches.” Hearing Julian’s words, my whole body stiffened slightly. What did he mean? Make me Moira’s personal maid? What did he take me for? My lips moved, but for a long while I couldn’t speak. Finally, I nodded as if compromising. In that moment, Julian looked at me with a strange expression in his eyes. But ultimately he said nothing more, just lowered his head and spoke gently to Moira beside him. “Where do you want to go today? I’ll come with you.” Moira, standing beside Julian, naturally didn’t hold back when he spoke. She turned and raised her chin at me. “Melanie, I just returned to the country. I don’t know what’s changed here.” “Why don’t you be the driver today and take Julian and me to that club we used to frequent?” “…Okay.” I agreed, then got the car and drove Julian and Moira to New York’s largest premium private club. I thought Moira was just acting on a whim, wanting to have some fun. But when I followed them into the private room, I realized Moira had already called all their mutual friends from before.

Melanie Johnson POV “I’m back in the country today-let’s drink till we drop!” Moira excitedly popped open a bottle of champagne, not caring that the spray splattered all over my clothes. She just called out, “Where’s the bartender! Get everyone some drinks!” Everyone around joined in Moira’s excitement. My fingers gripping the wine glass turned white. I raised my eyes and looked toward Julian. But the man across from me just frowned slightly, and the moment our eyes met, he instinctively looked away. My heart immediately turned cold. I put down the bottle with a self-mocking smile and turned to leave. “What’s wrong, Melanie, you’re unwilling?” Moira’s voice suddenly came from behind, blocking my path, a slight smile on her face. “Seems like you’re not giving me face. After all, just a few days ago Melanie was so good at drinking and partying. If you won’t today, that means you look down on me!” As Moira spoke, she suddenly produced a thick stack of photos from somewhere. The photos clearly showed me sitting in a bar, pouring drinks for different male models. The air in the private room suddenly went quiet. Julian stood to the side, his eyes full of disbelief as he looked at the stack of photos Moira had thrown out. He froze in place, his face instantly flushing red, as if someone had publicly slapped him hard across the face. “Melanie Johnson, I thought you just liked to have a little fun, but I didn’t know you were this loose! Since you love playing with men so much, I’ll make it happen for you!” Julian seemed to have gone mad with anger. He grabbed that stack of photos and forcefully threw them in my face. Then he raised his hand and called in two security personnel, pointing at me and angrily ordering, “Hold her down and make her pour drinks for everyone as a server!” As the man’s words fell, I was immediately restrained. I was forced to pour drinks for everyone, even forced to drink. In that moment, I felt like a servant at everyone’s beck and call… completely stripped of my dignity as an heiress. Why… did I have to degrade myself to this extent? I bit my teeth hard, forcing myself not to cry. But Julian on the side kept watching me. Finally, he seemed unable to bear it. “Enough…” “Julian, just for me today, let’s drink happily and not let anything spoil the mood.” Before Julian could finish, Moira, sitting beside him, grabbed his hand. In that moment, with my mouth being forced open, I watched Julian stiffen slightly, then stop moving. He just turned and drank freely again with Moira and the others. By the time I finished pouring drinks for the last person, I’d already been force-fed into oblivion. I don’t know how I got back. When I woke up again, Julian was silently feeding me aspirin and water. “Take the medicine and go to sleep. Tomorrow is the company’s board dinner announcing the equity transfer. I don’t want you to be late.” After the man finished speaking, he shoved the water glass into my hand, turned, and left. I sat up silently and looked around, only to discover I’d been moved from the master bedroom to the cold basement.

Melanie Johnson POV The headache after the hangover was excruciating. When I woke up, there was only one hour left before the Rivers family dinner. I quickly got myself ready and rushed to the banquet hall. But as soon as I entered, I felt the strange looks the guests were giving me. What’s going on? I frowned, but the murmuring around me grew louder. “This is the ex-wife Julian Rivers proposed to? How dare she show up today?” “I heard a few days ago she spent hundreds of thousands at a bar on male models. A woman like that has the nerve to attend the Rivers Corporation dinner?” … The discussions surrounded me, countless voices entering my ears. I suddenly stopped, turned to face the nearest person with the loudest voice, and spoke clearly. “Yes, I admit I spent lavishly on male models at a bar a few days ago. But at that time I hadn’t accepted Julian Rivers’ proposal. I don’t think I did anything wrong.” I straightened my back, my voice firm and powerful. To ensure Julian’s equity transfer could proceed smoothly, after agreeing to Mrs. Rivers’ contract, I had proactively arranged a meeting with the Rivers family’s biggest business competitor a few days ago. When I learned the person in charge was a woman who loved drinking, I even chose New York’s biggest bar as the venue. During the meeting, I spent hundreds of thousands hiring several male models, just to get her to agree not to acquire the Rivers family’s scattered shares. But I couldn’t broadcast these things publicly. Julian was at a critical juncture in the equity transfer. If people with ulterior motives learned the details, I feared Julian wouldn’t successfully complete the Rivers family equity handover, and I would violate the contract. “Is that so, Melanie?” As my words fell, several Rivers family board members who had been sitting nearby suddenly stood up. “You being single and hiring male models is indeed not wrong, but you actually met privately with our biggest competitor at the Rivers family-what exactly were you trying to do?!” “I think you, Melanie Johnson, have ulterior motives! Getting close to Julian Rivers was just to extract Rivers family secrets. Now this photographic evidence is conclusive-what else can you argue?!” Those board members spoke, then suddenly produced the photos Moira had released at the club last night. “I didn’t! I…” I tried to explain, but when the words reached my lips, rationality made me close my mouth again. But my silence at this moment seemed like speechlessness after being exposed in a lie. In an instant, countless board members whose interests were tied to the Rivers family stood up and began accusing me. Some even pushed and pressured me! I was pushed back step by step under their shoving and insults, until suddenly someone shoved me hard. I felt my footing give way and immediately fell backward. But the expected pain didn’t come. A warm embrace steadily caught my body. With a familiar scent and voice, yet the tone was so cold. “Melanie Johnson, why did you betray me?”

Melanie Johnson POV I didn’t know when Julian had arrived at the banquet. Standing beside him was the smiling Moira. He looked down at me with disappointed eyes, his tone ice-cold. “I thought you just liked to have some fun. I know I wronged you badly back then, but I believed that as long as I was sincere, you would definitely come back to me.” “But I never imagined my sincerity would be met with your betrayal! I could overlook you drinking with male models before the remarriage. But you went alone to meet the Rivers family’s biggest competitor. How dare you claim you’re innocent?” I looked at the man before me and suddenly felt how strange he’d become. Even everything I’d done for him before now seemed so ridiculous in this moment. Perhaps his mother should never have paid my ransom back then. She should have let me be beaten to death by those kidnappers! That way I wouldn’t have to fulfill any contract, better than now experiencing the taste of sincere devotion being betrayed and wasted! I suddenly laughed, laughing until tears flowed, my whole body trembling violently. “Julian Rivers, you don’t believe me, but I didn’t do it! If it weren’t for the inheritance-related agreement, I…” Slap. Before I could finish, I heard a loud slapping sound. The next second, I felt a burning pain on my cheek. “What right do you have to mention that?! That was my mother’s life’s work in the Rivers family. You actually wanted to destroy it!” Julian’s eyes turned bloodshot, his words spoken through gritted teeth. “Melanie Johnson, you’re not worthy to stand at this banquet. Get out-! Get…” Before the man could finish, the surrounding guests suddenly erupted in shocked commotion. Before I could turn around, I heard someone roar, “Julian Rivers, go to hell!” In that moment, I don’t know if it was because of my former feelings for Julian or that contract requiring him to stay alive. I just instinctively rushed in front of him. As the voice hit the ground the next second, I only felt my abdomen go hollow. Blood instantly sprayed out, immediately staining the white dress I was wearing red. I saw Julian’s face change dramatically in that moment. Suddenly flustered, he rushed to me and caught me as I fell. Before losing consciousness, I seemed to clearly hear Julian’s panicked, terrified voice ringing in my ears. “Melanie Johnson, don’t fall asleep! You can’t die! Do you hear me?!” “Someone come quickly, call an ambulance now!” “If you can’t save Melanie Johnson, you’ll have me to answer to!” Warm palms seemed to press tightly against my bleeding wound. In a daze, I blinked weakly and finally couldn’t hold on anymore and passed out.

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The company’s top salesman came to me for his team-building expense reimbursement. I didn’t even look up as I flatly rejected his request. “I can’t approve this. The budget is gone.” He stared at me in absolute disbelief. “It’s only the 1st of the month. How can we be out of money? Every person gets a $100 allowance!” But I held my ground and absolutely refused to process his claim. Unable to tolerate it any longer, he went straight to the big boss to complain about me. “Boss! You can’t let her target her colleagues like this!” “If she doesn’t approve the team-building budget, how am I supposed to boost morale?” “She’s penny-pinching us to death! She’s trying to ruin the company!” Seeing that the situation had finally blown up. I smiled, stood up, and pulled out the last six months of billing records from my drawer… 1 When Jason’s expense report was slid in front of me, I didn’t even bat an eye. My fingers typed the final digit on the keyboard. Only after I saved the organized spreadsheet did I reach out and take that thin piece of paper. His flamboyant signature was scrawled across the top, and a glaring number was filled in the amount column. “I can’t approve this.” I pushed the form back to him, my voice flat and emotionless. “The departmental budget for this month is already depleted.” The smug smile on Jason’s face froze, as if he hadn’t heard me clearly. “What? Rachel, say that again?” I looked up, meeting his gaze directly. “I said, the administrative budget for this month is gone.” “That’s impossible!” He slammed his hand on my desk, drawing the side-eyes of everyone in the office. “It’s only the first of the month!” “The company’s team-building allowance is $100 per person per month. Our sales department has over a hundred people. You’re telling me a $10,000 limit is just gone?” A young salesman behind him immediately chimed in. “Yeah, Rachel, our top sales team just won a major contract. What’s wrong with having a victory dinner?” “You’re new here, so maybe you don’t know the ropes, but you can’t just block us like this, can you?” “Yeah, she has no social awareness.” “So petty!” “It’s not like we do this every month!” His subordinates chimed in one after another. Their voices weren’t loud, but they buzzed annoyingly like flies. I ignored the background noise, my eyes fixed solely on Jason. Seeing that I was unyielding, his expression of shock turned into rage. His face flushed red, and he pointed his finger at my nose, cursing: “Rachel, are you deliberately trying to make things difficult for me?” “Let me tell you, don’t think that just because you sit in that chair, you can control the sales department!” “We’re the ones making money for the company. We’re not here to take crap from a little accountant like you!” I leaned back in my chair, letting his spittle fly through the air, my tone remaining perfectly calm. “Jason, the rules are the rules.” “The portion your team overspent last month was automatically carried over and deducted from this month’s budget according to financial policy.” “So, this month’s allowance was completely wiped out at exactly midnight on the 1st.” My words carried clearly into every corner of the office. Instantly, a deathly silence fell over the room, leaving only the sound of the central air conditioning blowing. The colleagues who had been watching the drama unfold now looked at me with complex expressions. Some with pity, some with disdain, but mostly with an aloof indifference. They probably thought I was crazy—a new accountant daring to go head-to-head with the company’s hottest star salesman. What could possibly have overspent by that much? In the end, they definitely thought I was just too stingy to release that much money at the beginning of the month. Jason was choked up by my completely justified and factual statement for a long time, unable to utter a single word, his chest heaving violently. He had probably never imagined that his usually infallible tactics would hit a brick wall with me. Finally, he squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth. “Fine, Rachel. Just you wait.” 2 He grabbed the expense report, crumpled it fiercely into a ball, threw it into the trash can in front of me, turned, and slammed the door as he left. The massive bang made the pen holder on my desk tremble. The tense air in the office only slightly loosened after his departure. Someone secretly shot me a “take care of yourself” look, then quickly lowered their head, pretending to be busy. Expressionless, I picked that crumpled ball of paper out of the trash, smoothed it out, and clipped it into a dedicated folder. They all thought this was the first time I had angered Jason, thinking I was a rigid, inexperienced rookie. Only I knew that this was not the first time. Jason’s expense reports were incredibly varied and staggeringly frequent. Dining out and hitting the clubs were commonplace; he even had the audacity to submit receipts from luxury spas and massage parlors for reimbursement. Every time, he would just toss the receipt on my desk and say something smooth. “Rachel, it’s all for team morale. You cover it first, and I’ll push the paperwork through immediately.” His “paperwork” meant never mentioning it again. When I first joined the company, before I understood how things worked here, I had fronted over $20,000. That money was still sitting lonely on my personal ledger, like an unclaimed bad debt. I had followed up twice. The first time, he laughed it off, saying he forgot and would get it done in a couple of days. The second time, he was in the middle of the office, surrounded by a group of subordinates, loudly boasting about the million-dollar contract he had just signed. I merely walked up to him and softly reminded him about the reimbursement. In front of everyone, he slammed his coffee mug down heavily on the table. The sound wasn’t loud, but it was enough to silence the entire sales department. He looked at me like I was a bothersome, ignorant child, and spoke slowly, his voice dripping with undisguised contempt. “It’s just a few thousand bucks. Do you really have to chase me for it every single day?” “One of my contracts is worth millions. Do I look like I’m short on your little bit of money?” The surrounding area instantly erupted in suppressed, mocking laughter. Those stares pierced me like needles. From that day on, I never asked for that money again. They all thought I had backed down, that I was a soft target scared off by a single sentence from the top salesman. Jason became increasingly brazen in front of me, treating my advances and tolerance as his natural right. I didn’t defend myself; I just slowly collected all this evidence, piece by piece. I would wait until he rolled his snowball of lies big enough, until the moment he could no longer cover it up himself. When all the bad debts exploded at once, he and his so-called “achievements” would be permanently nailed to the company’s ledger, with no chance of ever turning things around. I looked at the receipts in the folder that I had smoothed out—the evidence recording his greed—and a cold smile curled on my lips. Jason, don’t rush. This opportunity is coming very soon. 3 Starting the next day, my desk became the eye of the storm. At 5:59 PM, Jason’s most capable lieutenant, a guy named Kevin, dropped a half-meter-high stack of documents on my desk with a loud thud. “Rachel, urgent. These fifty contracts have to be mailed out tonight. The clients are waiting.” I glanced at the clock on the wall. The minute hand had just hit the twelve position. The office was filled with the noisy chatter of people packing up to leave. Kevin’s voice stood out clearly amidst it all, carrying undisguised provocation. I didn’t say a word. I simply pulled the pile of contracts toward me, verified the addresses one by one, checked the signatures and seals, and then packed them into shipping envelopes. The office emptied out, the lights went off one by one, until only the harsh white light above my head remained. The night deepened outside the window, and I was the only beacon of light left in the entire office building. When I dragged my exhausted body out of the building, it was nearly midnight. This was only the beginning. When I went to the pantry for water, someone would always “accidentally” bump into me. The boiling hot water would spill, either scalding the back of my hand or soaking the documents I had just organized. The apologies were light and utterly insincere, accompanied by suppressed snickers from those nearby. I could only repeatedly blot the soaked papers dry with paper towels, then spread them out on the radiator, watching the ink bleed into blurry smudges. The pantry became their stage. Jason and his followers would always specifically gather there to loudly boast when I was heating up my lunch. “Hey, look at some women these days, dressing like they’re from the middle of nowhere…” “All they know is how to pinch pennies. No wonder she’s destined to be a lowly clerk for the rest of her life.” “Right? Zero situational awareness. Treating the company like her own personal piggy bank, calculating every single cent.” “People like that, how could they ever be successful.” Their voices were neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for me and everyone else straining their ears to hear perfectly clearly. Expressionless, I took my lunchbox out of the microwave, turned, and left. Behind me was their increasingly brazen, roaring laughter. Rumors began to spread silently throughout the company. There were many versions, but the core idea was always the same— I, Rachel, because I had been publicly humiliated by Jason, was using my position to seek personal revenge. I was deliberately blocking the entire sales department’s reimbursements, trying to drag down the company’s performance. Those colleagues who had initially stayed neutral, or even exchanged polite nods with me, now looked at me differently. They began to deliberately avoid me. If they saw me in the hallway, they would turn down another corridor before we crossed paths. In the elevator, they would rather wait for the next one than share that small space with me. I was completely isolated. I became the “public enemy” of the entire company. A “petty,” “low-EQ” villain who was affecting the company’s lifeline over personal grievances. I still arrived at work on time every day, processing mountains of paperwork, turning a blind eye to the harassment and dirty looks. My silence, in their eyes, was seen as guilt, as stubborn resistance. Seeing that I still refused to “admit my mistakes,” Jason finally lost his patience. That afternoon, I saw Jason and several of his core salespeople walk into the Branch Manager, Mr. Sterling’s, office. I knew he was pulling out his ultimate move. 4 Half an hour later, the intercom rang, and a cold female voice came through. “Rachel, Mr. Sterling wants you in his office.” I put down my pen, smoothed my clothes, and walked over. Pushing open the heavy wooden door, the atmosphere in the office was oppressive. Mr. Sterling sat behind his large executive desk, his brows furrowed tightly. Jason stood to the side, a barely detectable smugness in the corners of his eyes. Seeing me come in, he even threw me a look of sorrowful helplessness, putting on a full performance. “Rachel,” Mr. Sterling’s voice was heavy, carrying obvious anger. “What exactly is going on with you lately?” I didn’t speak, waiting for him to continue. “Jason told me everything. Is it really just about approving an expense report? Did you really have to push things to this extreme?” “Right now, the sales team is full of complaints, and morale is at an all-time low.” “Several key members have even told me they’ve lost their motivation and want to quit!” Mr. Sterling’s fingers tapped loudly on the desk. “Do you know how much it costs to train a core salesperson?” “They are the heart of the company! They are the heroes who put food on all of our tables!” He paused, his tone growing even more severe. “Jason and his team are out there fighting tooth and nail for contracts. Do they really have to come back to the company and deal with your attitude just for a little team-building money?” “What do you think you’re doing? You need to be more service-oriented! You can’t be so rigid!” “Rules are dead, but people are alive! Do I really need to teach you this?” Every word was a dagger to the heart. I raised my eyes to look at Jason. The smugness on his face could no longer be hidden; the corners of his mouth turned up into the smirk of a victor. He looked at me, his eyes full of contempt and mockery, as if saying: See? You can’t beat me. So, this company had rotted to its very core. “Heroes” could ignore the rules, and the “heart” could do whatever it wanted. He probably had no idea how much public funds had been embezzled, treated as “small costs” to maintain morale. My heart instantly went ice-cold, but my face remained completely impassive. I lowered my eyes, looking at my clean fingernails, and spoke calmly: “Understood, Mr. Sterling. I will be more mindful.” No defense, no argument. Mr. Sterling seemed very satisfied with my “tact,” his expression softening slightly, and he waved his hand. “Alright, you can go. I know you’re very capable. Communicate well with Jason, and cooperate more in your future work.” I nodded, turned, and opened the door. Outside, the sales department staff were “coincidentally” hovering nearby. The moment I stepped out, all eyes simultaneously shot toward me, like countless poison-tipped arrows. Jason and his team followed me out, unabashed, victorious smiles plastered on their faces. I could read that kind of look. It was the strong crushing the weak; it was the thrill of watching an overconfident ant being stomped underfoot. The very air in the entire office had changed, filled with suffocating mockery. I could feel those stares on my back, peeling my skin, pulling my bones. I walked back to my desk, step by step, and sat down. It was terrifyingly quiet; even the sound of typing had disappeared. Everyone seemed to be enjoying a pantomime, and I was the sole clown. I clenched the hands hidden under my desk, my fingernails digging deep into my palms, causing a sharp sting. 5 The news that I had backed down after being “lectured” sprouted wings and flew to every corner of the company overnight. The next day, the atmosphere in the office was incredibly eerie. No one dared to speak loudly, but countless gazes wove over me, filled with schadenfreude and scrutiny. Jason arrived right on time at 10:00 AM, stepping to the beat of a victor’s drum. He was followed by the entire sales department, a massive entourage, like a triumphant army returning from battle, tightly surrounding my small cubicle. “Rachel.” Jason’s voice was loud, deliberately making sure everyone could hear. “You’ve thought through what Mr. Sterling said yesterday, right? Now, process my expense reports from last month.” “Then, for your inappropriate behavior, apologize to the guys in our sales department.” As soon as he finished speaking, his lackeys started jeering. Whistles and mocking laughter mixed together. Jason raised his hand to quiet them down, a magnanimous smile on his face, and stepped aside to clear a path. “Oh, right. I specifically invited Mr. Sterling over too.” “Young people make mistakes, it’s no big deal. Let the boss be a witness, so you don’t relapse in the future.” Mr. Sterling, his hands clasped behind his back, walked out from the back of the crowd and stood next to Jason. He looked at me, his eyes carrying the reprimand of a superior and a hint of impatience. He was clearly here to settle things, so this farce could end as quickly as possible. The air in the entire office solidified. Everyone stopped what they were doing, craning their necks, waiting for the moment I bowed my head in defeat. This was a public execution carefully orchestrated by Jason, designed to utterly trample my dignity underfoot. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, I didn’t look at the expense report shoved back in front of my face, nor did I look at Jason’s smug expression. I raised my head, my gaze bypassing him, and landed squarely on Mr. Sterling. Then, I smiled. “Mr. Sterling, since everyone is here, why don’t we have a meeting?” My voice wasn’t loud, but like a stone thrown into a dead pond, it sent clear ripples outward. Jason’s smile froze on his face, and Mr. Sterling also frowned. Before they could react, I stood up and pulled open the bottom drawer of my desk. I took out a thick folder and a compact black voice recorder. I walked to the door of the conference room, pushed open the glass door, looked back at the crowd, and said: “Please.” Everyone exchanged confused glances, but eventually, led by Mr. Sterling, they filed in. Jason and his crew brought up the rear. He stared at the things in my hand, a certain unease appearing in his eyes for the very first time. I walked to the head of the conference table and expertly connected my laptop to the projector. The folder and the voice recorder were placed right next to my hand. “Since this is about reimbursement issues, let’s start with reimbursements.” I clicked open the first file, and a massive spreadsheet was projected onto the screen. On the left were scanned copies of all the expense receipts submitted by Jason over the past six months. And on the right were the actual consumption records I had verified line by line. “First entry: December 3rd of last year. Jason requested a reimbursement for client entertainment, amounting to $8,600. The invoice was issued by ‘The Ritz-Carlton’.” I pointed a laser pointer at the entry on the screen, my voice steady. “But interestingly enough, at 7:30 PM that evening, Tyler from Jason’s team posted a set of photos from a karaoke lounge on social media, with the caption ‘Partying with the bros’.” “The location tagged was ‘Royal Club’ on the west side of town.” “In the photos, everyone from the sales department is present, but the ‘important clients’ you mentioned are conspicuously absent.” On the screen, right next to the invoice photo, that high-definition social media screenshot suddenly appeared. Face after young face, flushed red under the dim lights, the table piled high with imported liquor and fruit platters. Jason’s face changed color. His subordinates began to shift uneasily in their seats, whispering amongst themselves. 6 I didn’t pause, continuing to scroll down. “Second entry: January 19th. The reason for reimbursement: ‘Maintaining key client relations.’ Amount: $12,000.” “The invoice shows you spent this at a high-end luxury spa.” “But I checked the company’s access control records and the garage security footage. That afternoon, Jason, you and several core members of your team had no record of ever leaving the building.” “Third entry: February 14th. Valentine’s Day. Reimbursement for $5,200, under the category of ‘Emergency PR Expenses’.” “This receipt from a jewelry store in the attachments… I specifically called to verify it. The purchase was a women’s platinum necklace.” “I wonder which client required ‘Emergency PR’ that necessitated Jason personally going out to pick a Valentine’s Day gift?” Case by case, item by item. The evidence was irrefutable, fully documented with photos and text. In the entire conference room, apart from my voice, there was no other sound. The color slowly drained from the faces of the sales department staff; sweat began to bead on their foreheads. Jason finally couldn’t hold it in any longer. He stood up abruptly, pointed at me, and yelled: “Rachel! What is the meaning of this? What gives you the right to investigate my private life? This is all just chasing shadows!” “Chasing shadows?” I looked at him and pressed the play button on the voice recorder. Immediately, my own voice came through the conference room speakers. “Jason, the twenty-odd thousand dollars I fronted before…” Following closely was Jason’s familiar, arrogant tone, amplified by the speakers, sounding exceptionally harsh in the quiet room. “It’s just a few thousand bucks. Do you really have to chase me for it every single day?” “One of my contracts is worth millions. Do I look like I’m short on your little bit of money?” The suppressed, mocking laughter of his subordinates echoed around him. The recording continued. The scene shifted, the background a bit noisy. “…Just do as I say. Make the invoice out to our partner, ‘Apex Tech’.” “Write whatever you want for the description—office supplies, technical services, whatever. Keep the amount under five grand, and submit them in batches.” “That new girl, Rachel, might be a rigid pain in the ass, but she wouldn’t dare reject them…” This was an audio recording of Jason instructing his subordinates on how to falsify accounts. It was probably sent in their team’s private group chat and forwarded to me by someone. The recording finished playing. The conference room was deathly silent. Jason’s face had gone from flushed red to a deep, sickly purple. He opened his mouth, but couldn’t utter a single word. His lackeys were all ashen-faced, wishing they could sink into the floor right then and there. Mr. Sterling’s face was so dark it looked like a thundercloud. He stared fixedly at Jason, his gaze like a knife. “Jason, what else do you have to say for yourself?” “I… Mr. Sterling, I…” Jason’s voice trembled. “I did this for the team… to motivate everyone…” “Motivate?” I let out a cold laugh and projected the final document onto the screen. “I wonder if Jason’s ‘motivation’ also includes using company funds to poach the company’s own talent?” Appearing on the screen was a detailed corporate investigation report. “‘Vanguard Trading LLC’, registered just last month. Registered capital: $500,000.” “The legal representative is named Derek.” I paused, my gaze sweeping over Jason’s pale face. “As far as I know, that’s your cousin’s name, isn’t it?” “The most crucial point is that this company’s business scope—its core business operations—is almost exactly identical to the new product line our company is launching next month.” “And the capital used to register this company is less than a thousand dollars short of the total amount you’ve falsely claimed and embezzled over the past six months.” 7 I turned off the projector, and the conference room was bright again. I looked at Jason, who had collapsed into his chair, and articulated every word clearly: “Jason, this isn’t just corruption. This constitutes corporate espionage.” “You used our company’s resources and public funds to fatten up your own team.” “And now, you were preparing to use this money to set up a new company to steal our business. Am I right?” A fatal blow. The entire room was in an uproar. Mr. Sterling’s body shook with anger. He pointed at Jason, his lips trembling, unable to form a complete sentence for a long time. Jason’s face instantly went as white as a sheet of paper. His younger subordinates, who hadn’t been with the company long, also lost all color in their faces. They looked at him in terror, as if seeing this boss they had sworn loyalty to for the very first time. The entire office was dead silent, save for the projector’s cooling fan dutifully whirring away, a monotonous hum. It sounded like it was playing the final dirge for this farce. Jason suddenly sprang up from his chair, like a cornered beast, his bloodshot eyes glaring at me fiercely. That face, usually slick with overconfidence, was now twisted beyond recognition. “Forged evidence! This is illegal wiretapping!” He pointed his finger at me, his voice a hoarse roar, spittle flying across the conference table. “Rachel, who the hell do you think you are? What gives you the right to investigate me?!” He looked around at his subordinates, who were equally ashen-faced, trying to make one last desperate struggle. “You all saw it! This woman has had it out for us since day one!” “She just wants to ruin our sales department, to ruin the whole company!” His hysterical accusations were like a shot of adrenaline injected into the bodies of his die-hard followers. “Yeah! We bust our asses out there running sales! Why should we let an accountant screw us over like this!” “She’s just out for personal revenge!” “Mr. Sterling, you have to stand up for us!” Several people stood up along with him, shouting with false bravado. The previously frozen air became agitated again. Chaos rapidly fermented in the conference room, and the situation looked like it was about to spiral out of control. Just then, the heavy doors of the conference room were pushed open silently. A middle-aged man in a dark suit, his hair combed impeccably, walked in. He looked to be in his fifties, exuding a calm demeanor, but his eyes were sharp. Wherever his gaze swept, the clamor instantly died down. Everyone fell silent, including Jason. He stood with his mouth open, the slogan “ruin the company” still stuck in his throat. The man walked over to the conference table, his gaze falling on Jason’s trembling finger. He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but it struck everyone’s heart like a heavy hammer. “What gives her the right?” He repeated Jason’s question, his tone flat, yet carrying an unquestionable authority. “I gave her the right.” The man’s gaze turned to me. He gave a slight nod, then his eyes landed on the already petrified Mr. Sterling. “Sterling, it seems there are massive problems with your management of the branch office.” “Rachel is an inspector I dispatched from headquarters, specifically responsible for auditing the financial and HR operations of the branch.” He paused, his gaze shooting toward Jason like cold lightning. “It looks like the audit results are quite spectacular.” “A star salesman, using company funds to wine, dine, and line his own pockets, even preparing to set up his own shop and hollow out the company.” “A branch manager, turning a blind eye to this, enabling corruption, and failing to manage his team.” The man’s voice grew cold, every word like a shard of ice. “Jason, you are suspected of corporate embezzlement and theft of commercial secrets. The company will immediately report this to the police. You can explain the rest to them.” “As for you, Sterling,” He looked at the pale-faced Mr. Sterling. “As of right now, you are fired.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “406302”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

In our past two lives, Declan Hayes couldn’t escape his fate of marrying me. The third time around, he accepted it. He no longer tried to save my sister first, leaving me to die in the freezing wilderness. He no longer showed disgust at the dark birthmark by my eye, instead calling it a mark God left for him to recognize me. His ambition was as relentless as ever. He crawled out of the slums, covered in frost and snow, collapsing at my feet. He was waiting for me to pull him up and take him home, just like I had in our past two lives. But this time, God showed mercy. The one who reached out and helped him up was my sister. And I? I picked up another little street rat, one even more wretched and battered than him. Smiling, I announced that I wanted to keep this one. Declan stared blankly as my hand bypassed him. He must have been overjoyed. So happy, he looked like he was about to cry. 01 It was an overcast winter day, the sky heavy with leaden clouds. The scouts rode back to our convoy, reporting that the northern mountain pass was frozen solid. We couldn’t get through. My older sister, Clara, sighed. She stroked my sleep-flushed cheek inside the carriage, lifted the velvet curtain, and instructed the driver, “Find an inn nearby for us to wait it out. Hazel is tired.” I crawled up from her lap and peered out the frosted window. The snow was blindingly heavy, making it look as though the clouds themselves had frozen over. Dozens of beggars were huddled under broken wooden awnings, shivering violently. A kindhearted tavern owner brought out buckets of leftover food and scraps. Instantly, the beggars swarmed the buckets like starving ants. Only two boys didn’t join the frenzy. One looked at the scraps with sheer disdain. The other was likely just too emaciated, lacking the strength to even stand, curled up in a corner with a mop of matted hair. Clara leaned over, pulling me back from the window. She had her nanny wrap a thick, white rabbit-fur scarf around my head and neck. “The wind is biting right now. Catching a fever is no joke,” she scolded gently. She didn’t let me step out of the carriage until I was bundled up like a marshmallow. The moment my boots hit the ground, a figure violently crashed at my feet. He grabbed the hem of my heavy cloak with such desperate force that he nearly dragged me down on top of him. “Oh my!” Clara rushed forward to catch me, frowning at the unconscious boy on the ground. The nanny took one look and gasped. “Oh, you poor boy. He’s covered in bruises and whip marks.” Clara had a bleeding heart. She couldn’t stand seeing others suffer. Seeing the overwhelming number of refugees, she handed the nanny a stack of cash to set up a soup kitchen. Then, she personally reached down to help the boy—the one who was still gripping my cloak in a death grip. I didn’t reach out. I just stood there, watching quietly. Suddenly, I asked, “Sister, are you going to keep this filthy beggar?” The boy’s tightly shut eyelashes fluttered. Clara smiled helplessly and pinched my cheek. “Hazel, be respectful. No matter what someone’s background is, you must be polite. Understand?” She thought for a moment, then added, “Uncle Arthur’s military academy has been recruiting refugee boys lately. Since fate brought him to us, let’s take him home. Consider it a good deed.” Knowing she wouldn’t scold me too harshly because of my age, I broke free from her grasp. I ran straight toward the cluster of broken awnings, pointing at the skeletal, half-dead boy in the corner. My eyes curved into a wicked, playful smile. “If you get to keep one, I want one too! I want this one!” No one else noticed, but I did. The boy leaning against Clara—the one pretending to be unconscious—snapped his eyes open the moment the words left my mouth. He stared at me in absolute disbelief. 02 Carefully observing the boy’s reaction, I was absolutely certain. This was Declan Hayes, the man who had been haunting my recurring nightmares for months. The dreams were fragmented, playing out like a tragic, twisted novel. In those dreams, I was the obnoxious, unloved adopted sister. I was ugly—ruined by the dark birthmark at the corner of my eye. I was spoiled, arrogant, and demanded everything my perfect sister had. Including the man she loved: Declan. I clung to Declan since childhood. Through two lifetimes, he couldn’t shake me off. In those lives, he treated me with pure cruelty. He abandoned me in the wilderness where I was nearly eaten by wild dogs. He mocked my appearance so relentlessly that it destroyed my self-esteem, driving me to use toxic, back-alley cosmetics to hide my birthmark until my skin rotted away, turning me into high society’s ultimate laughingstock. Yet, I acted like I was cursed, obsessively demanding to marry him. The love and hatred of two lifetimes tangled endlessly in my dreams. Every person, every scenario—I knew them by heart. So, when I heard the driver say the northern pass was frozen and we were trapped in this snowy town, I snapped fully awake and looked out the window. Sure enough, there was the young Declan. I was naturally rebellious, a girl who loved reading dark fairy tales and legends of reincarnation. When confronted with this bizarre intersection of dreams and reality, I wasn’t afraid. I was thrilled. I had been so stupid in my dreams. So pathetic to love a man who treated me like dirt. In reality, I was going to make sure Declan Hayes got absolutely nothing in his third life. I looked at the bed where the little street rat I had just picked up was lying. He had been given medicine but was still unconscious, tossing restlessly, his skeletal fingers trembling. I reached out and held his freezing fingertips. Finding warmth, his deeply furrowed brow slowly smoothed out. I smiled softly. I was going to raise this boy, Rowan, to be stronger, smarter, and more powerful than Declan. Then, Clara would undoubtedly fall in love with him instead. When that day came, Declan would lose the woman he loved, and he would lose the war for power and wealth. Watching him cry was going to be so much fun. 03 Saying I was going to raise Rowan properly was one thing; actually doing it was another. I couldn’t keep anything alive. Every stray cat or dog I brought home eventually had to be taken over by Clara because I was so bad at it. The only things I kept in perfect condition were my porcelain dolls. So this time, I made a firm resolution. I rolled up my sleeves, determined to do everything myself! But it immediately turned into a disaster. “Oh, my sweet girl! You don’t need to bathe him yourself! He’s a boy!” The nanny rushed back into the room holding a basin of water. Seeing me holding down a terrified teenager in a wooden tub, aggressively wielding a comb to fix his hair, she panicked. I didn’t see the issue. I naturally treated him like one of my dolls, adjusting him as I pleased. I said with absolute seriousness, “He’s mine.” I can do whatever I want. With that, I cupped the boy’s wet, rigid face, leaning in close, staring straight into his pitch-black eyes. “Your name is Rowan. From now on, I am your Lady. You will listen to me, forever and ever.” Rowan’s fingers gripped the edge of the tub so hard his knuckles turned white. “Nod your head,” I demanded bossily. He stared at me. Then, he nodded. I smiled in satisfaction and held up the comb. “Good! Now I’m going to comb your messy hair until it looks pretty. Don’t move.” Rowan tried his hardest to relax his body, his soaked rags floating on the surface of the water. But I overestimated myself. After just two strokes of the comb, I spotted something crawling in his hair. I screamed, threw the comb, and pushed him away forcefully. “Ah! Lice! So gross!” The nanny quickly pulled me back. “My precious girl, you aren’t made for this kind of dirty work. Alright, you’ve had your fun, let me take over.” I don’t know which word triggered Rowan, but he looked absolutely terrified that I was disgusted with him. He grabbed a pair of sharp shears from a basket by the tub and began frantically hacking away at his own hair. He swung so recklessly that the blades slashed his cheek, drawing blood. Both the nanny and I froze in shock. Strands of hair and blood hit the water. He gripped the shears, his hair now a jagged, chaotic mess. Like a lone, frightened wolf pup who didn’t know how else to please his master, he looked at me with helpless, desperate eyes. Clara heard the commotion and rushed in. Seeing the scene, she was also stunned. She looked at the shears in his hand with concern, then pulled me into her arms, coaxing me gently. “Hazel, do you really want a playmate? How about sister finds you a better one, okay?” At the doorway, Declan, who had been scrubbed clean and dressed in fresh clothes, was watching me. He even offered me a gentle smile. I found it completely baffling. Just as I was about to tell him he was worthless, I heard a splash. Suddenly, I was yanked out of Clara’s arms and pressed hard against a wet, bony chest. The boy’s voice was raspy, damaged, and incredibly stubborn. “Lady. Mine.” Declan’s eyes went dark for a split second. I turned my head and flicked Rowan on the forehead. “Idiot. It’s—I am yours, my Lady.” His eyes seemed to light up at the flick. “Yes.” He nodded. 04 Because we had been delayed for too long visiting our parents’ graves in our hometown, Clara ordered us to pack up and head for Uncle Arthur’s estate in the capital the second the ice melted. I was incredibly depressed. Because I knew that once we reached Uncle Arthur’s house, I would revert to being the universally disliked, annoying adopted cousin. I wasn’t like Clara. She was beautiful, elegant, and everything she did was perfect. The adults adored her, and our cousins idolized her. After our parents died, she took on the responsibility of raising me. She was so capable that everyone in elite society praised her. But me? The ugly birthmark by my eye made it naturally hard for people to like me. Plus, my temper was awful. If anyone offended me even slightly, I sought ruthless revenge. They only tolerated me out of respect for Clara. But I had made my peace with it. As long as I had Clara, it was enough. She treated me so well; I wanted to give her the best of everything the world had to offer. I looked across the carriage at Rowan. He was meticulously carving a birthday gift for Clara. I had braided a small section of his choppy hair, tying off the end with a blue sapphire bead. His face had filled out a bit, and the cuts from the scissors had faded to faint red lines. His eyes were exceptionally beautiful, like a crescent moon breaking through the dusk. There was no doubt he would grow up to be a devastatingly handsome man. He pressed his lips together in concentration, his nimble fingers using a small knife to smooth the edges of a wooden angel statuette. There were several failed attempts tossed in a box beside him. When he finished, he handed it to me. It seemed to be his best work. I turned it over in my hands, satisfied. “Yes, this one is the prettiest. Give it to Clara.” He shook his head and insisted I wear it instead. I lectured him. “How many times do I have to tell you? Clara is number one. You have to prioritize her above me.” I told him to put it away. He turned slightly, pretending he didn’t hear me, and picked up his knife to carve another figure. He replied curtly, “She has someone to treat her well.” Declan? I sneered in disgust. “What does he count for? You are a million times better than him. One day, you’re going to crush him under your boot, and all he’ll be able to do is cry.” Rowan paused. He looked up at me, his gaze complex. “You hate him?” I nodded. Rowan offered a strange, faint smile. “But he seems to like you. He likes you so much he looks like he wants to kill me.” Hearing that gave me goosebumps. I told Rowan he was being ridiculous and overthinking it. The bitter winter wind howled outside the carriage windows, the bells jingling. We were almost at the capital. I burrowed into the small blanket Clara had embroidered for me. Feeling sleepy, I closed my eyes and muttered: “Except for Clara, no one will ever like me…” The carriage was quiet for a long time. Just as I was drifting off to sleep, I thought I heard someone whisper low under their breath— “Is that so?” “Because I think there are far too many people who like you. So many that I want to kill them…” I rolled over, assuming I was just hearing things. 05 As dawn broke, our carriage passed through the city gates. The Montgomery family had sent people to wait for us early in the morning. “The young ladies are finally here! The General and Madam have been worrying for days, terrified you’d be trapped in the blizzard and miss the holidays!” Aunt Martha’s head maid hurried forward, eagerly helping Clara step down from the carriage. Clara pulled her hood tighter, breathing out a cloud of white mist. “I didn’t expect the snow in the capital to be this heavy…” She turned around and reached her hand out to me, who was lagging behind. “Come on, Hazel. We’re home.” The Montgomery staff completely ignored me, their eyes landing on Declan and Rowan with confusion. Seeing I hadn’t moved, Clara stepped forward, pulled me along, and smiled as she explained why we had taken the two boys in. Declan was officially brought in by Clara, so the Montgomery staff didn’t say much. But when they looked at Rowan standing by my side, their eyes turned noticeably colder. I was used to this blatant favoritism, but… I looked back at Rowan. He seemed entirely oblivious to their deliberate coldness, offering me a small smile. We walked past the grand statues, through several courtyards, and into the warm, luxurious parlor. Aunt Martha personally came out to pull Clara inside, affectionately rubbing her cold hands. “My sweet girl, the journey must have been exhausting.” She looked right through me, as always, and spoke only to Clara. “Your uncle told me before he left for the day—we need to move your parents’ graves back here eventually. Traveling up north every year in this freezing weather… it’s exhausting for everyone, and it’s simply not proper.” Declan and Rowan stepped into the parlor. Standing behind them, I saw Clara shake her head and reply softly, “Mother and Father spent half their lives defending the northern borders. Being buried there was their dying wish. As their daughter, I cannot go against their final requests just for my own comfort.” Aunt Martha pulled Clara onto the plush sofa, sighing with pointed meaning, “You’ve always been the sensible one…” I sat off to the side, my mind wandering. Suddenly, someone plopped down next to me and called out: “Hey, Hazel. That weird-looking stray with the short hair outside… you picked him up?” I turned my head, glanced at Rowan standing on the porch, and then looked at my cousin, Blair Montgomery. She loved making my life miserable. I ignored her. She smirked and held out her hand. “Give him to me. I’ll trade you this solid gold bracelet for him.” I didn’t even blink. “No.” The girl let out a cold laugh. “Do you honestly think that by copying Clara and pretending to have a bleeding heart, bringing a beggar home, my parents will actually look at you?” Blair leaned in closer. “Let me tell you a secret: as long as you live in my house, no one will ever respect you.” Her eyes curved maliciously. “What’s the big deal about giving me a piece of trash you found on the street? At least you get some real gold out of it. It’s a lot better than back when you used to eagerly sew shirts and shoes to please my parents and brothers, only for them to toss your handmade gifts to the servants without a second glance.” I finally looked at her. My smile didn’t reach my eyes. “Sure. As long as you can tame him and make him willing to follow you.” “That’s easy! There isn’t a wild horse I haven’t broken!” Blair cheerfully tossed the gold bracelet into my lap. Later, Blair took Rowan away, repeating my exact words to him word-for-word. Rowan seemed heartbroken. I lowered my eyes, refusing to look at him, and mindlessly played with the gold bracelet. 06 I didn’t entirely trust Rowan. He was far too obedient in front of me, completely unlike the fierce rival to Declan I remembered from my dreams. How could anyone hand over their absolute loyalty to someone else so quickly and without reservation? I didn’t buy it. He needed to be tested. Clara disapproved of my methods. “Since he placed himself in your hands, you owe him the same level of trust. He’s your companion, isn’t he?” I told her that once he passed the test, I would trust him completely. Clara pressed her hand to the top of my head, like an angel trying to educate a foolish mortal. “But he doesn’t know that. He only knows that you broke your promise and abandoned him. Hazel, you aren’t testing him. You are hurting him.” I didn’t fully understand, but Clara was always right. Early the next morning, I hurriedly washed my face and ran toward Blair’s courtyard. Trudging through the uncleared snow paths, my dress hem soaked and heavy, I bumped into Declan, who was dressed in a sharp training uniform. “Ha…” He paused. “Miss.” I ignored him. He reached out to help me. “The snow is too thick, it’s hard to walk. Let me help you.” Smack. I slapped his hand away, bristling like a porcupine. “Get lost.” Declan froze, his fingers curling inward as his hand dropped. “…Do I displease you that much, Miss? What exactly did I do to offend you?” I kicked at the snow, the biting cold seeping through my boots. “Every single thing about you makes me sick. Move! Stop blocking my way!” Declan smirked slightly. “Is that so.” He watched me stumble through the snow for a moment. Then, suddenly, he reached out, scooped me up under his arm, strode effortlessly through the snowdrift, and deposited me onto a dry, sheltered walkway. “Let me go!” I scratched his face, leaving red marks. Once I was steady on my feet, I shoved him hard and glared at him. Unlike his cold, sarcastic demeanor in my dreams, he just laughed and bent down, his eyes looking disturbingly affectionate. “Eat more food, little Miss. Grow up fast. When you’re older, you’ll like me.” In his dreams. After saying that, he crouched down and used his own sleeve to wipe the wet snow off the tips of my boots. This bizarre gesture actually made me freeze in shock. Declan didn’t stay long. Uncle Arthur was selecting refugees to train as reserve guards at the military camp today, and he needed to hurry. This was incredibly important. Rowan couldn’t miss this opportunity either. I had to go get him. I shook my head, pushing Declan’s weird behavior out of my mind, gathered my heavy, wet skirts, and sprinted into Blair’s courtyard. I had assumed Blair, lazy as she was, would still be asleep, making it easy to just take Rowan away. But the moment I stepped into the courtyard, I heard her screaming in rage. “I ordered you to kneel! You dare defy me?!” 07 Snow fell from the eaves. It landed silently on the boy’s thin, bruised shoulders. He was pinned down by several burly guards, but he absolutely refused to let his other knee touch the ground. Clutched tightly in his bleeding hand was a vicious, barbed iron whip. Those eyes, which had always been so gentle and submissive around me, were now pitch black and terrifying. “I only kneel to the dead.” Blair laughed out of sheer fury. She had grown up practicing martial arts with her father and was wild by nature. She let go of the whip and ordered a servant to bring a sword. “That stupid girl really brought back a tough one. Fine. I want to see just how tough you can be today.” A servant brought out a heavy broadsword. It was one of Uncle Arthur’s battlefield weapons. “Cousin!” I hurried out, compromising for the very first time, and called out to her. “I changed my mind. Give him back to me.” Blair looked at me like I had lost my mind. “Huh?” I shoved the gold bracelet back into her chest, roughly pushed past the guards surrounding Rowan, pulled him up, and stood protectively in front of him. To shut Blair up, I even handed over two of my own jade bracelets and promised to do her literature homework for two months. Blair reluctantly let him go, clutching her easy loot and muttering that there was something seriously wrong with my brain. On the way to escort Rowan to the military camp, he didn’t say a single word. I thought to myself, Clara was right. I had hurt him. I had always been the one getting hurt by others. But this time, I had become the kind of arrogant, cruel person who threw their weight around. It didn’t feel good. I promised to take him under my wing, but I didn’t protect him. Just like how my uncle had promised my dying mother he would take care of me, but failed. I had failed too. As we reached the camp gates, Rowan lowered his eyes and walked past me, his tone deliberately formal and distant. “Thank you for escorting me, Miss. Your subordinate will go in now.” I didn’t know what came over me, but my heart felt like it was stuffed with wet, rotting cotton. I originally just wanted to use him to make Declan miserable. I never intended to treat him like a real companion. Technically speaking, he was just a beggar. A servant. I gave him clothes, food, and a future. I had already been incredibly generous. But I felt awful. Thinking about it deeply, I realized that other than Clara, no one else had ever treated me with such unconditional priority and care. I was too selfish. I didn’t want to lose that rare, precious bit of favoritism. The winter sun was slow to rise, casting dim, nervous shadows at our feet. Rowan stopped walking. He looked down. Two stiff, freezing fingers were lightly tugging at his sleeve. “…I’m sorry.” I spoke in a tiny voice. “I won’t do it again.” The cold, desolate wind swept past us in silence. The boy, who seemed to have grown even thinner overnight, had sharp, striking features. His thick eyelashes cast shadows over his eyes, hiding his gaze. I only heard his raspy voice. “You said it. That’s the second time. If you push me away again, I will truly get angry.” He leaned down slightly, lifting his eyes to stare right into mine. “When I get angry, it’s terrifying. Miss, I will eat you alive.” Like a starving wolf betrayed by its pack. I thought he was joking, because he was smiling. His dark pupils were clear and completely harmless. So, I smiled back. 08 Rowan entered the military camp. I heard that Uncle Arthur originally didn’t want to keep him, either because he looked too frail or simply because I was the one who brought him in. But his reckless, do-or-die performance on the training grounds was impossible to ignore. Uncle Arthur accepted him. The rumors painted him as a blood-soaked brawler, but when I went to see him, he looked perfectly fine. He was neatly dressed and smiled, asking me out for the Winter Festival, proudly announcing he was now a man with a real salary. The Winter Festival was the most important family gathering for the Montgomerys. The whole family went out to see the lantern displays and enjoy the festivities. Clara tried her best to split her attention to watch over me, but she was surrounded by too many people. Her hand would inevitably slip from mine. Eventually, I was left standing alone, watching the lively crowd carry her further and further away from me. But with Rowan, I never felt that kind of loneliness. His eyes were only on me. He held my hand tightly, and no matter how dense the crowd became, he never let go. We walked down the grand avenue, past the arcades, watching acrobats and tightrope walkers. Above us were towering displays of lanterns, paper-mache figures moving like immortals. Growing up on the streets, Rowan knew all sorts of novelties. Whether it was sword swallowers or puppet shows, he could always explain the hidden mechanics behind the illusions. “The most important thing is the eyes.” His bright, obsidian eyes looked at me. “Many illusions rely on the eyes helping the magician lie. Exposing them isn’t easy, because your own eyes betray you first.” Rowan sometimes said profound things like that. I didn’t really understand. A massive, brilliantly lit lantern boat shaped like a dragon glided past on the river. I was captivated and leaned over the stone bridge railing to watch. 09 The wealthy always had plenty of pastimes. After the Winter Festival came the Spring Hunt. Spring arrived late this year. It still snowed occasionally, and the grass hadn’t fully grown in. But Blair threw a tantrum, insisting on going to the mountains to hunt, so the family indulged her. Looking at the barren, reddish-green landscape of the mountains, I remembered a scene from my dreams. In the dream, I was incredibly bratty, insisting on riding Clara’s horse and forcing Declan to hold my reins. But my riding skills were terrible. A sudden blizzard hit, the horse lost its way, and I was carried deep into the desolate woods. Declan had followed me at first, but when he heard Clara calling for me, he abandoned me to go to her. I was attacked by wild dogs and severely traumatized. After that, my temper grew even more volatile, and before I even turned eighteen, I forced Clara to beg Uncle Arthur to arrange my engagement to Declan. The sky was gloomy, and a chilling wind blew. It wasn’t good weather. I looked thoughtfully toward the stables. Even though my personality in reality differed slightly from the dream, Clara and I rode identical horses. Why did I insist on switching horses in the dream? The Montgomery brothers were helping Clara pick out a saddle. Blair was exceptionally eager, personally saddling Clara’s horse. I walked over and noticed Declan sticking closely to Clara’s side. I felt a slight wave of relief. Even though he treated me terribly, he was undeniably good to Clara. If there was danger, he would definitely protect her. But a faint, nagging suspicion pricked at my mind, like a splinter I couldn’t quite locate. Watching Clara about to mount her horse, a realization flashed through my brain. Since when was Blair so nice to Clara? She always hated how the family favored Clara over her, their own flesh and blood. My heart tightened. As I stepped forward, I chose to trust my dream-self. To believe that— No matter how bad I was, I would always protect my sister. I ran over and grabbed Clara’s reins, looking up at her. “Sister, I like the horse you’re riding. Let’s trade!”

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My mother was obsessed with the concept of a “lucky age,” an old superstition that added years to your life based on archaic folk math. When she went to register my eight-year-old brother for his social security number and official birth certificate, she insisted on putting him down as eleven. I thought it was absurd. Knowing it would cause him endless trouble in the future, I fought her tooth and nail, finally convincing her to only inflate his age by two years instead of three. Years later, my brother missed the cutoff for the final round of recruitment for a prestigious Air Force pilot program because he was officially two years too young. My mother told him, “If your sister hadn’t stopped me from giving you your full lucky age back then, you’d be the one accepted right now!” Because of that, my brother harbored a deep, simmering hatred for me. He believed I was the one who destroyed his dream of flying. During a hiking trip, he caught me off guard and shoved me off a cliff. My body was shattered on the rocks below, but they took the payout from my life insurance policy and lived a life of luxury. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day my mother went to register my brother’s official documents. This time, I kept my mouth shut and watched with a smile as she confidently declared his inflated age. 01 “A year from heaven, a year from earth, a year from the father, and a year from the mother. That’s how you ensure a long and prosperous life!” “My Jackson is eleven years old this year, that’s right! Go ahead and put it down!” The clerk at the Social Security Administration office looked at my brother, who was a full head shorter than kids his supposed age, with an expression of obvious disbelief. She shifted her gaze to me and asked for my brother’s birth year one more time, seemingly hoping to hear the correct answer from my mouth. In my previous life, this was the exact moment when I heard the registration year was three whole years earlier than my brother’s actual birth year, and I loudly stopped my mother. Back then, neither my brother nor I had been properly registered at birth. It caused a massive headache every time we had to enroll in a new school. It wasn’t until last year that my mom finally found a way to get me officially registered. But when she filled out my age, she habitually used that superstitious “lucky age” math. As a result, my official age was a full two years older than my actual age. I was constantly mocked by my classmates as the “dumb giant” or the “old lady.” To spare my brother from suffering the same fate, I exhausted myself trying to convince my mother to only inflate his age by two years instead of three. Because of that, my brother actually got along well with his classmates when he started middle school. However, when I caught a severe fever and went to a cheap urgent care clinic, my mother reflexively gave them my “lucky age.” This led the doctor to miscalculate my dosage. The IV caused the muscles in my left arm to necrotize, and I could never lift it again. That tragedy served as a wake-up call for my mother and brother, preventing a similar disaster from happening to him. But I never imagined that he would later miss the final Air Force pilot recruitment window because he was officially two years below the minimum age requirement. My brother was devastated and blamed my mother for not registering him as two years older. My mother secretly told him, “I wanted to use your lucky age when I registered you, but your sister stopped me!” “It’s my fault for being foolish and listening to your sister’s nonsense! Otherwise, you’d definitely be the one admitted right now!” Later, my brother achieved absolutely nothing in life. My mother complained, “It’s because your sister changed your age that she ruined your blessings!” Over time, my brother harbored a deep-seated hatred for me, convinced I was the one who ruined his aviation dream and the rest of his life. Later, he invited me on a wilderness hike and shoved me off a cliff when I wasn’t looking, leaving my body shattered and unrecognizable. He took the life insurance payout, bought a house, got married, and lived a life of wealth. And my mother, fully aware that he had murdered me, committed perjury to help him escape justice. I thought we at least had some familial love between us, but I didn’t know they only wanted to suck me dry. This time, I was going to sit back and watch just how much of a “blessing” my mother’s prized lucky age would bring my brother! Facing the clerk’s questioning gaze, I just smiled awkwardly and glanced at my mom. My mom impatiently yanked me behind her. “Do you think I don’t know how old my own son is? Why are you staring at her?” Seeing my mother’s volatile temper, the clerk didn’t want to cause a scene and registered the information exactly as she said. Looking at the freshly printed official document, my mother and I both smiled incredibly happily. 02 When we got back home, my brother was in the yard playing Pokémon cards with some neighborhood kids. My mom couldn’t wait to pull him in front of her. “Jackson, if anyone asks how old you are this year, what do you say?” My brother was entirely focused on his game and casually replied, “Eight!” My mom’s face instantly darkened. She emphasized her tone, “You are eleven this year! How can you not even remember your own age?” My brother struggled to get away so he could go back to playing, answering distractedly, “Okay, okay, I’m eleven.” But my mom wasn’t going to let him off easily. She closed the front door and asked again, “Now answer me again. How old are you this year?” This finally annoyed my brother. He looked thoroughly displeased. “Eight! Mom, you’re being so annoying!” “You ungrateful little brat! I carried you for nine months and brought you into this world, and I’m not even old yet, and you’re already sick of me?” Furious, my mom slapped my brother hard on his backside, correcting him while dramatically fake-crying. “You were born in December! Counting from the time you were in the womb, you are eleven this year!” “From now on, if anyone asks, you tell them you’re eleven. Do you hear me?!” My brother burst into loud wails and cried out to me for help when he saw me. In my previous life, after my arm was ruined by that injection, I made sure my brother memorized his actual age at all times. From then on, every time he went to the hospital, I was incredibly cautious, ensuring the doctors treated him based on his true age. Later on, I was kicked out of the house by my mother when I was only sixteen. Her beautiful excuse was that she had already raised me to adulthood, and from then on, it was my turn to give back to the family. I was only a sophomore in high school at the time. She forcibly cut off all my living expenses, and my teachers even had to help cover some of my school fees. To survive, I had no energy to focus on my studies. After school, I relied on picking up aluminum cans on the side of the road to sell for scrap just to keep myself alive. I never foolishly hoped that my brother, who had plenty of spending money, would give me any help. But he was even more heartless than I could have imagined. He stole the meager amount of money I had, claiming he was giving it to our mom, but secretly spent it all himself. When my mom found out, not only did she not punish him, but she also said, “The Miller family’s money will all belong to my son eventually! What’s the big deal if he takes your little bit of cash? It’s not even enough to buy him a pair of shoes!” Later on, I graduated from high school with grades only good enough for a second-rate state college. That was the same time my brother missed out on his aviation dream, exactly when his hatred for me was peaking. He and my mother conspired to marry me off to the intellectually disabled son of a local business owner in exchange for a $30,000 dowry. I adamantly refused and fled the house in the middle of the night. But in the end, I was deceived by his fake apology and ended up a corpse in the wilderness. I naively thought I was treating them well, but in their eyes, I was completely worthless. Or rather, in their eyes, I wasn’t even fit to be their family member. My only use was to be an ATM. I wanted absolutely nothing to do with a family like this! “Maya, help me!” He hadn’t been paying attention to anything my mom said earlier. It was only after getting hit that he frantically blurted out his own age. But he didn’t guess the answer that would satisfy my mother, which only fueled her rage, and she hit him even harder. Watching his pleading eyes, I waited until he had taken a sufficient beating before pretending to just figure it out, gesturing to him. “Eleven! Mom, I’m eleven!” Jackson screamed at the top of his lungs. My mom finally stopped, panting heavily. “That’s more like it! You just don’t remember unless you get hit! If I ask you next time and you forget again, I’ll hit you even harder!” Jackson’s face showed obvious defiance, but he didn’t dare say a word. Only after my mom walked away did he pout and rub his backside as he walked out. At this point, we didn’t have much conflict between us, and he didn’t forget to thank me: “Good thing you guessed it, Maya, otherwise Mom would have beaten me to death!” I smiled silently, thinking to myself: Some people in this world are just born cheap. They can’t tell who is actually good to them! Since he loved hearing lies so much, I would just play along. 03 In my previous life, because I was isolated by my peers, I developed an aversion to school from a young age. Later, because my mom cut off my financial support, even eating became a challenge. At the age when I should have been focusing on school, I was scavenging for trash and finding odd jobs to survive. That’s why I couldn’t run very far when I tried to escape later. Now, facing the mocking voices of the students around me, I turned a deaf ear. Nothing that happened was going to stop me from studying. Because this was my only hope of escaping this house. In the blink of an eye, the timeline reached the point where the muscles in my left arm had necrotized in my past life. I had been running a high fever for two days and still hadn’t recovered. My mom exploded in a rage: “You useless, money-losing burden! All you know is how to eat my food and spend my money! Why don’t you just die already!” Her curses and spit rained down on my head. But I was already delirious from the fever, huddled in the corner, completely drained of energy. My lips were pale, but my head was burning like a furnace. She cursed at me, but she wouldn’t actually let me die like this. After all, I had cost her so much money, and she hadn’t managed to squeeze a single cent of profit out of me yet. When she had cursed to her heart’s content, she finally counted out a few twenty-dollar bills and told me to follow her to the nearby urgent care clinic. Once we got there, she just dumped me there alone. In my previous life, I couldn’t hold on and passed out. When I woke up, my left arm was already paralyzed. The first thing I saw was my mom arguing with the doctor. That was when I realized she had reported my inflated age. The small clinic used strong dosages to begin with. Faced with a shameless grifter like my mom, and knowing they were at fault for not following proper procedures, they ended up settling the matter by paying my family three thousand dollars. That night, when we got home, I dragged my paralyzed left arm, applying a wet towel to it, and watched my mom make a feast of fish and meat for my brother. Meanwhile, because I had a fever, I only had a bowl of watery oatmeal in front of me. Now, I forced myself to hold on to my last shred of sanity until we reached the clinic. After my mom reported my age and went outside to gossip, I quickly grabbed the doctor’s hand and repeatedly told him I was only twelve this year. 04 Fortunately, the tragedy of my past life didn’t happen this time. After the IV drip, my fever had mostly subsided. When it came time to pay, my mom scolded me again over a measly thirty dollars. But I tightly clenched my left fist, my heart filled with the joy of successfully resisting my fate. And even more, a sense of anticipation for the future… Because exactly one week after my arm was ruined in my past life, my brother also caught a fever. Back then, my mom indiscriminately pinned the blame on me, insisting I was the one who infected him. But only I knew that my brother had caught the fever after sneaking off to play in the river behind her back. However, out of fear that my mom would punish him, he watched helplessly as I was falsely accused. This time, I absolutely refused to be the scapegoat! When he and a few friends went to play in the water by the river, I secretly hinted to my mom that wild turkeys were ruining the saplings in the field near the riverbank. When she got there, she heard the sounds of my brother and his friends playing in the water nearby. Her eyes went wide, and she hurried over. Sure enough, she saw my brother, completely naked, having a water fight with the neighborhood kids. A few years ago, someone had drowned in that river. Every summer, my mother repeatedly ordered him never to play near it. Seeing this scene now, she no longer cared that my brother was her precious darling. She sternly ordered him out of the water, grabbed him by the ear, and dragged him back home. I waited until my mom closed the door and my brother’s screams echoed from inside before I slowly emerged. That evening, just as expected, my brother came down with a fever. Even though my mom was cursing under her breath, she quickly carried him to the clinic. I was dragged out of bed, holding his jacket and water bottle, trailing behind them. During the consultation, the doctor routinely asked for his age. Hearing “eleven years old,” the doctor was quite surprised, because my brother’s build was noticeably smaller than his peers. But my mom wasn’t happy about that. “Who are you looking down on? Don’t you know boys hit their growth spurts later?” My brother was already burning up, red as a lobster—even worse than he looked in my past life—and was constantly whining about how awful he felt. I anxiously chimed in, “His ID says that’s his age, it’s correct.” My mom snapped, “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and prescribe the medicine for my son! If the fever causes any permanent damage to my son, I’m going to sue you for everything you’ve got!” The doctor had been dragged out of bed in the middle of the night to see a patient, and dealing with someone like my mom didn’t improve his mood. He directly gave my brother an intramuscular injection, prescribed some medication, and then used the excuse of closing the clinic to rush us out. The medication cost over two hundred dollars. When my mom heard the total, she cursed about being ripped off, but there wasn’t a single moment of hesitation when she pulled out the cash. In my previous life, I was deeply hurt by this blatant double standard. I sacrificed so much just to earn her love. But now that I’ve seen their true colors, I won’t soften my heart even a fraction this time! 05 After returning home in the early hours of the morning, my mom ran into her room and fell into a deep sleep, ordering me to take care of my brother. After she left, I wrapped myself in a blanket and curled up on the sofa to sleep. When I woke up again, my brother was wailing loudly. I had a pretty good idea of what happened, so I immediately ran to wake my mom up. My brother was rushed to the emergency room and was in critical condition for two whole days before he stabilized. Interestingly enough, when the doctors asked for my brother’s age this time, my mom still unhesitatingly said eleven. But thankfully, the doctors at this major hospital were more cautious and had dealt with all sorts of stubborn, uneducated family members. Under the doctor’s stern questioning, my mom’s expression gradually became uncertain. She seemed to have guessed the reason why my brother ended up like this, but she absolutely refused to admit it, as if not admitting it meant it wasn’t her fault. But when it was a matter of life and death, the doctor didn’t have the patience to play games with her. The doctor anxiously raised his voice and interrogated her, practically yelling, drawing the attention of everyone in the hallway. Trembling, my mom pulled him into a corner and whispered: “Doctor, why are you being so loud? That’s just how we calculate age where we’re from!” “And my daughter’s ID has that age too! She was perfectly fine when she got her injection last time!” “Look and see if there are any other reasons? Could it be because he wasn’t taken care of properly after the injection? I don’t even have to think about it to know that lazy brat of a daughter didn’t take her brother’s life seriously!” While my mom was talking, the doctor had already rolled his eyes impatiently several times. He wasn’t unfamiliar with patients’ families like this, the kind who only knew how to shirk responsibility when things went wrong. He interrupted my mom, confirmed the actual age, and went into the operating room to save him. This ordeal cost tens of thousands of dollars. Not only did my brother suffer immensely, but it also left permanent damage to his left leg. However, the doctor said that with proper recovery, it wouldn’t affect his normal walking. When he found out he ended up in the hospital due to my mom’s negligence, my brother threw a massive tantrum in his hospital bed. Knowing she was in the wrong, my mom bought him plenty of toys he’d been wanting to coax him back into a good mood. But I wasn’t so lucky. “What kind of sister are you? Did you learn absolutely nothing in school? You can’t even tell the difference between chronological age and lucky age when seeing a doctor! Are you just hoping your brother dies sooner?!” My mom stood with her hands on her hips and screamed at me. My brother in the bed also changed his tune and chimed in: “Yeah, Maya! Why didn’t you stop Mom? Why wasn’t it you who almost died from the injection!” 06 I looked at the malicious nature gradually revealing itself in my brother, clenched my fists tightly, and didn’t argue back. I knew his retribution was still to come. After the two of them finished venting their anger on me, they were a happy family again. While my brother was hospitalized, my mom, just like in my past life, went to cause a scene at the small clinic. This time, she was even greedier, demanding a hundred thousand dollars from them. Otherwise, she threatened to sue them for malpractice and shut them down. Helpless, the doctor had no choice but to pay up. After getting the money, my mom went to claim credit with my brother. “If it weren’t for this whole ordeal, when did you expect your mom to ever make this much money?” “The doctors all said there’s absolutely no problem with your leg. You can’t even tell unless you look really closely.” My brother, holding the thousand dollars my mom gave him to top up his gaming account, instantly changed his tune. He threw his arms around my mom’s neck and kissed her several times, entirely forgetting his previous resentment towards her. “You have to trust Mom. The lucky age isn’t just a way of showing gratitude to your mother; it will bring you blessings in the future!” “And don’t listen to your sister’s nonsense. It’s fine if girls lie about being younger, but you’re different. You’re the only male heir of the Miller family! Having an older age written down just makes you seem more manly!” “Mom will save all the rest of this money for you! When you grow up, the family’s money and the house will all be yours!” My brother agreed sweetly, repeating several times that he was eleven this year, counting his time in the womb as one year. 07 With money in her hands, my mom recently became obsessed with playing poker. She ordered me not to go to school for the next few days and to stay at the hospital to take care of my brother. I was responsible for the family’s three meals a day. Since my brother was recovering, my mom was more generous with the grocery money than usual. I couldn’t fight back against their everyday abuse and beatings, but I had ways to secretly make them miserable where they couldn’t see. I only spent a third of the money to buy stale vegetables and cheap meat, adding various seasonings so they couldn’t taste the difference at all. Sometimes my brother would even praise my cooking after eating, and my mom would clean her plate every time. I smiled silently. Without realizing it, by the time my mom cut off my living expenses, I had already saved up quite a bit of money. Even though it wasn’t a fortune, it was enough for me to comfortably finish high school. In this life, nobody was going to stop me from getting into a good college and escaping this place. While I was racing against the clock to study in high school, my brother developed extravagant habits and became a bully at school. Whenever I ranked in the top ten of my grade in exams, my brother would be called to the principal’s office because he failed every single subject. The teachers always said our family was a study in extremes. Why couldn’t the younger brother study as well as the older sister? In this life, because I maintained good grades, I received a few hundred dollars in scholarships every semester. I handed all of this over to my mom, only asking that she not interfere with my studies. With the money in hand, she naturally didn’t bother making trouble for me. As for my brother, his resentment towards me grew day by day because the neighbors were always comparing him to me. Sometimes when I was working a part-time job after school, he would bring a group of delinquents to steal the recycling I had collected. The homework I stayed up late to finish would be thrown into the trash by him the next morning. Seeing my distressed look, he would only laugh maliciously with his friends. Later on, I completely ignored these kinds of pranks. Except, when I cooked every day, I would secretly add a little something extra to his soup base. Sometimes it was powdered cockroach corpses, sometimes it was dumpling broth that a lizard had “accidentally” fallen into… 08 Fortunately, the final results did not disappoint me. I successfully got into a top-tier university and chose a major at a campus as far away from home as possible. When my mom found out, she sternly ordered me to change it, but I brought out the excuse I had prepared long ago: “The major I chose has a great future prospect. I might make a lot of money later on, and then I can support you even better!” I had been completely obedient to my mom all these years. Even when she cut off my living expenses, I didn’t act like I felt it was unfair, unlike my past life. I ate oatmeal and toast every day, and I still handed my scholarship money over to her. I would even smile and say to her: “Mom, you’ve raised me for so many years. Now that I’m an adult, it’s only right that I repay you.” She never in a million years would have thought I had any intention of escaping. Deep down, she believed I would dedicate my entire life to serving this family. Hearing what I said, her eyes darted around shiftily. “But I’m telling you right now, don’t even think about asking me for tuition money!” “I’ve fed and housed you for over a decade! I’ve already done more than enough!” I quickly waved my hands. “How could I possibly ask you for more money? I know tuition is expensive, but I’ve applied for student loans now, so you don’t have to worry about me.” Only then did she relax, waving her hand dismissively. “Once you’re in college, don’t just focus on having fun. Learn from others and get a part-time job! Your dad died early, and it wasn’t easy for me to raise you and Jackson all by myself. You need to remember how hard I worked!” “Jackson needs money right now, so I won’t ask you for much. Once you’re in college, just send me a thousand dollars a month to my card!” To successfully escape, I agreed to whatever conditions she proposed. Anyway, the day would come when I would exact my revenge on them, one by one! 09 In the blink of an eye, my brother was a junior in high school. When he was little, he skipped two grades in preschool, so his actual chronological age was two years younger than his classmates. But because my mom had messed with his official records, his legal age was one year older than his classmates. This time, when the announcement came that an agency was coming to the school for the final round of Air Force pilot recruitment, my brother was more excited than anyone else. Because he was the only one in his class who met the age requirement! In fact, there were no more than five students in the entire grade who met the age requirement. Even before the recruitment process started, he was already fantasizing about what he would look like as a pilot. Hearing this news, my mom was genuinely happy for him. She viewed her son through rose-colored glasses, believing unequivocally that as long as my brother participated, he would definitely succeed! If he wasn’t chosen, it meant the recruiters were blind! She even gloated, “See? Doesn’t Mom deserve some credit?” “If we went by how everyone else counts from birth, wouldn’t you have missed this opportunity?” “I always said my way of counting was the right way! You need to remember to be grateful, and the blessings will come, right?” My brother, hearing this, also felt incredibly lucky. “Good thing you had foresight, Mom!” “Don’t worry! Once I’m selected and make big money in the future, I’ll definitely make sure you live a good life!” My mom was so thrilled by my brother’s words that she posted several updates on Facebook. Almost every neighbor, relative, and friend she’d ever spoken to knew that Jackson was testing to become a pilot. Everyone praised him for being so promising. When he went for his first physical exam, my mom had already gathered her acquaintances and booked nine large tables at a restaurant to celebrate his acceptance into the pilot program. However, before she could wait for the good news about my brother, she first received a call from the police station.

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I went to the local grocery store to pick up some produce. When I got to the register, the owner suddenly looked at me and said: “Yesterday, you and your boyfriend walked out without paying for your groceries, right?” I told him I hadn’t even been there yesterday. But the owner stubbornly insisted it was me and my boyfriend. Left with no choice, I called my boyfriend to come over. The owner, however, just smirked: “It wasn’t this guy. It was another one. An older man.” I let out a cold laugh. “Actually, Mr. Barnes, I saw you in a video online.” “You were holding a gallon of oil and half a watermelon.” A few young women standing nearby immediately started nodding. “Yeah! We saw it too!” 01 “I’m ready to check out.” I placed my vegetables on the counter. The middle-aged owner was staring at a poker game on his phone, furiously tapping the screen, not even bothering to look up. I raised my voice. “Excuse me, I’m ready to pay!” “Hold your horses, lady!” He impatiently lifted his head, but his eyes suddenly locked onto my face. “It was you, wasn’t it?” I looked at him, completely baffled. “What was me?” The owner slapped his phone face-down on the counter, a disdainful smirk creeping onto his face. “Oh, don’t rush to deny it!” “Yesterday, around this exact time! Right as the sun was setting! You were wearing a white dress. The guy with you—tall, skinny, wearing glasses, right? “You two picked through my aisles, filled a whole basket, even grabbed the most expensive box of strawberries! Then, while I went to the back to move some stock, you sneaked out!” 02 I took a step back. I instinctively tried to recall what I was doing after work yesterday. No way. Yesterday after work, I went straight to the movies with my best friend. I was nowhere near this store. I quickly explained, “I wasn’t even at your store yesterday! And I didn’t wear a white dress!” “Are you sure you aren’t mistaking me for someone else?” “Mistaking you?” The owner let out a weird, mocking laugh. “I’ve been running this store in this neighborhood for almost eight years. I have a photographic memory for faces! “Alright, fine,” he waved his hand dismissively, acting as if he were being incredibly generous. “You’re a young woman, you’re embarrassed to admit it. I get it. “How about this? We’ll add yesterday’s total to what you’re buying today. Let’s round it to an even hundred bucks. Pay it, walk away, and I’ll pretend nothing happened. Saves you some dignity, how about that?” 03 Hearing this, I was already pulling out my phone to call the police. But then I remembered something my mom had mentioned recently. Last month, our area had massive flooding from a hurricane, and a lot of expensive inventory in his basement storage was ruined. He lost tens of thousands of dollars. His wife had also been in poor health and was recently hospitalized for surgery. That was probably why he was so desperate to track down the shoplifter. Trying to be patient, I opened my phone and pulled up my movie ticket receipt from the night before. “Yesterday after work, I went to the movies with my best friend. That theater is almost ten miles away from here. “It is physically impossible for me to have been in your store at that time.” The owner’s gaze swept over the screen, and his eyes definitely flickered for a second. But it was only for a moment. He crossed his arms. “Who knows who actually went to that movie? Maybe you bought the tickets for someone else? “Look, I saw what I saw. You and your boyfriend walked out without paying!!” 04 “There’s no point in arguing about this,” I said, pointing to the security camera on the wall. “Let’s check the footage! “If I actually stole from you yesterday, I’ll pay you three times the amount! “But if you’re falsely accusing me, I want a handwritten apology posted on your front door for three days!” The owner waved me off. “Forget it. “All my regular customers know my cameras are terrible. You can’t even make out a person’s nose or eyes on that thing. “Even if I pull it up, you wouldn’t admit it! What’s the point?” Just then, a middle-aged man who had been smoking in the corner put out his cigarette and spoke up slowly. “Listen, lady, I live in the complex behind here. I’ve known Barnes for years. He’s got a great memory! There are hundreds of people in this neighborhood, and he remembers a face after seeing it once! He even remembers what groceries people like to buy! If he says it’s you, he definitely remembers it!” The commotion was starting to draw the attention of the other shoppers in the store. Two of them were older women who lived in my apartment building. My mom even went to Zumba classes with them! If I didn’t clear this up today, I would be the neighborhood scandal by tomorrow morning. I stared coldly at the owner. “You just said my boyfriend is tall, skinny, and wears glasses, right?” The owner nodded with absolute certainty. “Exactly! I remember it perfectly!” “Wait right here. I just texted him to come over! “When he gets here, use that ‘photographic memory’ of yours and take a really good look!” 05 A few minutes later. The front door swung open. My boyfriend, Noah, rushed in and crossed the store in a few large strides. He was wearing gym clothes. He had a broad, athletic build, his arm muscles clearly defined. “Aria, what’s wrong? What happened?” I stepped aside, leaving Noah standing directly in front of the owner. “Take a good look. This is my boyfriend! “Is this the guy who supposedly shoplifted with me yesterday afternoon? Is he the tall, skinny guy with glasses?” Honestly, the moment Noah had walked in, the owner’s face had already frozen. Noah doesn’t wear glasses. He’s built like a tank. One look and you know he practically lives at the gym. He looked absolutely nothing like the description. 06 The owner’s eyes darted around the room before he forced a casual laugh: “Oh, no, no… not this one. It was a different guy.” “That one was a bit older! And balding!” Even though Noah didn’t fully understand what was going on yet, hearing the owner say that made his face instantly darken. “What the hell does that mean?” Catching sight of Noah’s clenched fists, the owner immediately switched to an overly earnest, concerned expression. “Hey, buddy, don’t do anything crazy! There are a lot of people here. Let me just give you a piece of advice, man to man.” Saying that, he half-pushed, half-pulled Noah a few steps outside the store entrance. “Yesterday, it was definitely your girlfriend! Wearing a white dress! She was with a guy in his fifties. They were standing real close in the aisles, and the guy was even tucking her hair behind her ear!” He clicked his tongue. “One look and you could tell they were more than friends! Buddy, you better go back and ask her some hard questions! Don’t be an idiot and let someone play you for a fool!” Noah’s fists were still clenched, but his brow furrowed deeper. He looked at the owner, then shot a quick, messy glance back at me standing in the doorway. Seeing that Noah wasn’t immediately defending me, the owner figured his seed of doubt had sprouted. He patted Noah’s arm. “Think about it!” Then, he turned and walked back into the store. 07 Only Noah and I were left by the entrance. I walked up to him and looked him straight in the eyes. “You believe him?” “I don’t!” Noah retorted immediately, his voice raising, but the urgency sounded hollow. “Aria, in my heart, I want to believe you!” His tone was full of inner conflict as he finally dropped the bomb: “You said you went to the movies with Chloe after work yesterday… but I ran into Chloe at the gym this afternoon. She told me she was working late at the office yesterday! Until almost ten PM!” I stood entirely frozen. Working late? Impossible! Yesterday after work, Chloe and I literally watched a movie together. There had to be some misunderstanding! I pulled out my phone without hesitation. “I’m calling her right now to clear this up!” 08 To prove my innocence, I put the call on speaker. The phone connected quickly. “Hey, Aria?” Chloe’s voice came through. She sounded completely normal, maybe even a bit relaxed. “Chloe!” I skipped the pleasantries, my voice tight with a tension I hadn’t even realized was there. “Noah just told me… he ran into you at the gym today, and you told him you were working late last night? Until ten?” The line went completely dead. A suffocating, terrifying silence. My heart started to sink, inch by inch. “Oh?” Chloe’s voice finally returned, but she was noticeably hesitating. “Working… late?” “Did Noah mishear me? I was at the movies with you after work yesterday!” Her ambiguous, stammering attitude only fueled Noah’s suspicions. “Chloe, what movie did you guys watch yesterday?” Another agonizing silence from the other end of the line. “Oh, um, I wasn’t really paying attention to the movie…” Chloe stammered. “So I don’t really remember!” I cut off her incoherent excuses. “Chloe, why are you doing this?” “We literally talked about the plot over dinner afterward, and now you’re telling me you don’t remember?” I quickly explained the entire ridiculous situation I was currently facing with the store owner. “Chloe, I need you to tell the truth right now!” Chloe’s voice suddenly spiked in volume, laced with a heavy dose of guilt: “Aria, can you leave me out of your drama with Noah? Figure it out yourself!” And with that. Click. She hung up. 09 A chilling sensation shot up from the soles of my feet, spreading through my entire body. An overwhelming sense of absurdity left me trembling. Why would Chloe say that? Before I could even process it, Noah let out a cold sneer, turned on his heel, and started walking away. I took a deep breath. “Noah, if you walk away right now, we are done!” Noah nodded, his voice eerily clear. “Then we’re done.” The store owner, who had somehow sneaked back to the doorway, leaned half his body out. “Breaking up over this? Oh man, all over a few bucks!” “It’s my fault too! I’m just too stubborn! Honestly, it wasn’t even about the money, I just wanted to prove my memory was right! I didn’t mean to air out all your dirty laundry!” “Look, lady, forget the money! Just go! But let me give you a piece of advice: when you have a good, young boyfriend like that, stay away from the sugar daddies…” A few onlookers started chiming in. “Just leave, sweetie. Making a big scene is only going to ruin your reputation!” “Mr. Barnes means well, he’s just a bit stubborn about the rules!” I laughed coldly. Leave? Why the hell should I leave? From the moment this started until now, I had fallen into the trap of constantly trying to prove my own innocence. Because I was scared. I was terrified of becoming another cautionary tale. I remembered a true-crime podcast about a girl who just went to pick up a package one afternoon. The bored clerk at the shipping station made up a malicious rumor about her, claiming she was having an affair. It completely derailed her life. She spent two years fighting for justice… She lost her job, her relationship, her reputation. She fell into a severe depression. By the time she finally got justice, the damage was irreversible. Right now, I was standing on that exact same cliff. The owner clearly knew he had the wrong person. But to save his own face, he was willing to invent a disgusting rumor that could ruin my life rather than simply apologize. And the bystanders? They didn’t care about the truth. They just wanted to eat popcorn, watch the drama unfold, and throw in their own two cents. At this moment, I woke up. Self-defense is a bottomless pit. The best defense is a relentless offense. I stood outside the door, staring dead at the owner, and smiled: “Actually, I saw you in a video online.” “You were holding a gallon of oil and half a watermelon.” “Tsk…” At that exact moment. A group of young women inside the store suddenly squeezed in next to me, eyeing the owner up and down. Almost in unison, they declared: “Yes! We saw it too!” 10 They exchanged a look, as perfectly synchronized as if they had rehearsed it. “It is him, isn’t it? I thought the owner’s voice sounded super familiar!” “I know him! He’s a regular on Ruby’s page! Ruby really likes him!” “Oh, now that you mention it, I remember too! Doesn’t he like to bring sunflower seeds to snack on?” “Yep~ Oh man, that video~ Tsk tsk tsk!” A girl with a ponytail pulled out her phone and waved it around. “I even saved the video on my phone!” My nose suddenly stung. These complete strangers were giving me the ultimate backup. Meanwhile, the owner’s face flushed crimson. He slammed his hand down on the register counter: “What kind of garbage are you spewing! I don’t know any Ruby!” The ponytail girl scoffed. “You’re wearing a white tank top today. The guy in the video was wearing a white tank top. How could it not be you?” The owner tugged at his shirt. “I bought this shirt yesterday!” A girl with short hair immediately fired back: “Where’s the proof?” “I bought it at the market next door! The vendor there knows me!” I jumped right in: “Who knows if you didn’t just collude with the vendor to get your story straight?” “A man your age, doing that kind of stuff, and getting posted all over TikTok!” “If your neighbors see that, how will your kids ever show their faces in public again?” An older woman standing nearby, who clearly didn’t use TikTok and was desperate for the gossip, scratched her head anxiously. “Oh my goodness, who is this Ruby you all keep talking about?” The short-haired girl explained: “Ma’am, Ruby is this drag queen influencer on TikTok. She posts a lot of videos with older men… you can search it up yourself!” “Mr. Barnes here is quite the player. Snacking on sunflower seeds while…” She intentionally trailed off, leaving the rest to the imagination. The older woman’s eyes widened in shock. “Barnes, you were with a man in drag? And you let them film it?!” 11 The owner was literally jumping up and down in a panic, the veins on his forehead popping. “Bullshit! If you girls dare say one more word, I’ll kill you!” I immediately pulled out my phone and pointed the camera at him. “Look, everyone! The owner is reacting like this. If that’s not a guilty conscience, what is it?” The older woman looked at me, then back at the owner. “Barnes, what exactly were you doing that day?” The owner slapped his thigh in frustration. “It really wasn’t me!” “Then why did so many different people all say they saw you in the video?” “They’re starting rumors!” The owner frantically grabbed his phone to make a call. “Yes! They are starting rumors! I’m calling the police!” I looked at him sideways, a mocking sneer on my face. “Save your breath. I already called them. The cops are on their way!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “406299”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

“I’m back in town. Do you still want me?” Staring at that text from my first love, I drifted into a daze, lost in memories. Suddenly, a hand snatched my phone away. Hudson was standing over me, his brows furrowed in irritation. “What are you doing? Since when do you snoop through my phone?” he snapped. Before I could answer, he crossed his arms, looking down at me. “I’ve told you a thousand times, Maya. Seraphina is, and always will be, the most important person in my life.” When I didn’t immediately respond, he added, almost as an afterthought, “But don’t worry. I’m not going to divorce you.” I felt a twitch in my jaw. He was having a completely different conversation than I was. “Hudson,” I said calmly, pointing to his hand. “That’s not your phone.” Hudson’s face dropped instantly. His grip on the device tightened as he looked at the screen. Then he looked back at me, his expression twisting into something ugly. “Who is this guy?” 01 Hudson glared at me, demanding an answer. I knew that in moments like this, any hesitation would only fuel his paranoia. He lived for control, and a random text from another man was a threat to that control. I leaned back against the headboard, matching his intensity with a flat stare. “That’s probably my ex-boyfriend.” Hudson’s jaw set hard. He gripped my phone so tightly I thought the screen might crack. I had to clear my throat and pointedly look at his white knuckles before he finally threw the phone back onto the mattress. To give him a little credit, it was an easy mistake to make. Our phones were identical models, sitting side-by-side on the nightstand. And apparently, our pasts were identical, too. A year ago, when his precious Seraphina crawled back into his life, she had sent him the exact same text, word for word. I’m back in town. Do you still want me? It would have been funny if it wasn’t so pathetic. The only difference was the timestamp. He was so busy raging that he hadn’t noticed this text arrived five minutes ago, not five years ago. Hudson, who had been on his way out the door to a meeting, suddenly lost his sense of urgency. He dropped onto the edge of the bed, trying and failing to look nonchalant. “An ex, huh?” Despite having already told him, I just nodded. “Yeah. An ex.” Technically, he was the ex. My high school sweetheart, my college love, my fiancé. The guy I was supposed to grow old with until Hudson’s father orchestrated a dynamic corporate merger that involved our marriage certificate. “How long did that last?” Hudson pressed, his voice taut. “Total? Almost ten years.” “When did it end?” “2019.” Exactly one year before I married Hudson. Time was cruel. In the blink of an eye, I’d been trapped in this vanilla-scented prison with Hudson for nearly five years. Hudson seemed to physically decompress. He scoffed, seemingly deciding that this ghost from my past wasn’t a real threat to his ego. “Whatever,” he mumbled. Then, shifting gears awkwardly, he said, “Our fifth anniversary is coming up soon. I was thinking we should go to…” “Are you still sticking to that arrangement you mentioned a few months ago?” I interrupted, my voice sharp. “About us leading separate lives?” We had both started speaking at the same time, and we both stopped abruptly. Hudson stared down at his Italian leather shoes, his face a mask of unreadable thoughts. I didn’t have the patience to wait for him to process. “You were saying?” I prompted. “Where are we going for our anniversary?” “To my family’s estate,” he flatly replied. I let out a soft “oh.” Thank god I hadn’t let my hopes get up. For a split second, I actually thought he wanted to do something just for us. But no, it was just another mandatory appearance at a Sterling family gathering. Hudson sank back into his moody silence. I studied his profile. Even in the dim light, he was undeniably handsome—chiseled jawline, dark hair. But it was a cold, lifeless beauty. I couldn’t see a single flicker of genuine emotion on his face. Feeling bold, or maybe just exhausted, I asked again. “What you said about separate lives… does that still stand?” 02 He had said it two months ago, in a fit of rage when I actually questioned him about where he’d been all night. “For Christ’s sake, Maya! Stop smothering me,” he had yelled. “If you’re that bored, go find your own entertainment. I don’t care if you sleep with someone else, just don’t make a scene about it.” I remembered the absolute agony of that moment. It felt like I’d been punched in the gut, the breath stolen right out of my lungs. But now? Now, I felt a strange sense of relief that he had opened that door. Time really is the best scriptwriter. It doesn’t spare anyone, but sometimes it offers twists you never saw coming. Hudson let out a dry, mirthless laugh. “Stands. Of course, it stands.” He pushed himself up from the bed, moving with that aggressive, purposeful stride of his. He grabbed the door handle, but paused before opening it. He didn’t turn around, but his voice came back to me clear as a bell. “Just remember one thing, Maya.” “You are my wife. Whatever you do, keep it discreet. Do not embarrass this family.” “Understood,” I replied, my voice sweet as poisoned honey. He was setting the standard, after all. I certainly wasn’t going to be the one causing scenes by lighting up downtown landmarks with light shows for my lover, or getting into high-profile shoving matches at charity galas. He had those bases covered. Hudson turned back to look at me, a flicker of something—was it suspicion?—in his eyes. “You’d best make it very clear to whoever this guy is that you are married.” “I don’t need a scandal that affects both our families’ holdings.” I nodded. A remarkably practical point. “I will.” I watched him. He still hadn’t actually left the room. “Anything else you need to lecture me on before you go?” His fingers drummed a nervous beat against his thigh. “What’s his name?” Before I could get annoyed, he held up a hand. “I’m not asking for that reason. I just want to make sure you’re not getting swindled by some opportunist.” I didn’t believe him for a second, but I didn’t care. “Ethan. Ethan Reed.” “Ethan Reed? CEO of Reed Innovation? Son of Elias Reed?” “I think so.” I knew for a fact he was the founder of Reed Innovation, and his father was indeed Elias Reed, the tech mogul. But I didn’t see a reason to give Hudson the satisfaction of knowing I was fully informed. Hudson didn’t stay to chat this time. He turned on his heel and walked out, closing the door firmly behind him. 03 Hudson got into his Aston Martin, but he didn’t start the engine. He sat there, gripping the steering wheel, a sense of irritation gnawing at his gut. He didn’t know why he was so annoyed. Ethan Reed was a non-threat, really. Hudson knew him, had run into him at a few tech conferences. He was rich, handsome, and successful—maybe even more successful than Hudson, which stung a bit. But Ethan was also a man of some principles. He was arrogant and high-handed, yes, but he had a reputation for being ethical in his personal life. He probably had no idea I was married. Hudson was sure that once Ethan learned the truth, he would back off. Ethan wouldn’t waste his time on a messy scandal. And besides, Hudson told himself, Maya didn’t have that kind of pull over a man. She wasn’t… special enough. His phone rang, snapping him out of his thoughts. It was Seraphina. He had promised to take her to a new, exclusive restaurant downtown tonight. He let it ring three times before picking up. “Hey. Something came up at work. I can’t make it tonight. Let’s do it another time.” Seraphina sounded disappointed, of course, but she was always so understanding. “Okay, Hudson. Work comes first. Take care.” Work wasn’t actually the problem, but he wasn’t about to explain that. He was going to sit in his car and brood. This was the dynamic he needed. This was the woman he loved. Hudson wanted a woman like Seraphina—someone soft, understanding, someone who adored him and deferred to him. He absolutely did not want a woman like Maya—smart, sharp, and always looking for the truth with that unsettlingly direct gaze of hers. 04 I sat in the middle of our massive bed, staring at the phone, deliberating. Finally, I decided to reply. Hudson had forced the door open, and I was going to walk through it. [Is this Ethan?] A long pause followed. Just as I was about to give up and accept that I’d made things so messy years ago that he wouldn’t even reply, a simple answer popped up. [Yes.] Our breakup had been ugly. Cruel, even. He felt betrayed when I abruptly broke off the engagement and married Hudson Sterling weeks later. He left the country immediately afterward and hadn’t been back since. Part of me believed he would never contact me again. That we were dead and buried. It took me a full year after he left to stop feeling like a hollowed-out tree. And then, I had married Hudson, a strategic move by my father. Initially, I had allowed myself to be swept away by the glamour of Hudson’s world. I was desperate for something to distract me from the loss of Ethan. But by year four, the distraction had worn off. And then his “White Moonlight” had returned. Seraphina. It was a cliché, a cheap telenovela plotline. She had been driven away by the Sterling family’s disapproval years ago. But when she came back, crying and explaining how she had been forced to leave him, all of Hudson’s logic and principles dissolved. When I first confronted him about Seraphina, he was resolute. He looked me in the eye and said, “Seraphina is the most important person in my life. If she hadn’t left, I never would have married you.” With one terrified look from Seraphina, Hudson was ready to become a weapon against me, to use his power to protect her from my “jealousy.” It was as if our five years of marriage had meant absolutely nothing. Yet, neither of us mentioned divorce. The Sterling and Price corporate alliance was too profitable, too complex to simply unwind. So, fine. Separate lives. In this circle, it was so common it was barely worth gossiping about. As long as the money wasn’t threatened. But my stomach still felt twisted in knots. Over the years, I had changed so much. I had no idea what Ethan was like now. [I’m married.] Those two words felt incredibly heavy as I typed them. The seconds dragged on into minutes, becoming an agonizing wait. I stared at the screen, my heart pounding against my ribs. Finally, a question mark appeared. [?] I bit my lip, agonizing over what to do next. My fingers hovered over the keyboard. Finally, I decided to just lay it out. [I’m married, but it’s… complicated. It’s an arrangement, not a real marriage.] I was still typing the final few words, explaining that our lives were completely separate, when an image appeared on his end. His reply was a screenshot of his text conversations. The screen was completely empty. There was no text that said I’m back in town. Do you still want me? I froze. I realized that my own mind must have twisted things, or maybe Hudson had planted it? No, that was too complex for him. Panic set in. I was desperate to delete the text I’d just sent, but it was too late. It was out there. A couple of seconds passed before a new message appeared from his side. [Wait, I know what happened. I was at a brunch with some friends this afternoon, and we played a game of Truth or Dare. One of them must have grabbed my phone and sent that. He deleted it afterward, so I didn’t even know. If that caused you any problems, I’m genuinely sorry.] 05 Disappointment flooded me, followed by an agonizing wave of humiliation. How arrogant did I have to be to think Ethan Reed would come back for me? For the woman who had crushed his heart and was now officially Mrs. Sterling. I had become so cynical that I assumed everyone was as calculated and transactional as the people in Hudson’s world. I had projected my own desire for escape onto him, assuming he was desperate to have me back. I was no better than Hudson. The realization stung, a bitter taste in my mouth. Shame washing over me, I quickly typed out my apology. [I’m so sorry. I completely misunderstood.] Ethan didn’t reply. I couldn’t stay in this house, in this vast, sterile monument to my bad choices. Hudson wouldn’t be back, and even if he was, his presence would only make the silence louder. I went to a club downtown, a place I frequented, and started drinking, one glass of expensive whiskey after another, until my vision blurred and the noise became a dull roar in my ears. Through the haze, I saw a familiar figure moving towards me. For a moment, I thought it was Ethan, but no, this man was too cold, too distant. At least Ethan, in his arrogance, had always looked at me with heat, with anger. This man looked at me as if I was just another piece of scenery in his path. I let my eyes close. The next thing I knew, I was waking up in an unfamiliar bed, the morning sun streaming through the windows. I sat up, rubbing my temples to soothe the throbbing headache, and my gaze landed on Ethan Reed. He was sitting on a chair on the balcony, watching me. He was wearing a simple grey button-down, the top two buttons undone, revealing just a hint of his collarbone. His sleeves were rolled up, showing off his tanned forearms and a long, jagged scar that ran along one of them. Five years had passed, but his sharp features were unchanged. If anything, time had only honed his arrogance into a more focused, imposing presence. “Ethan,” I croaked. “Thank you for… not just leaving me there.” I remembered bits of last night. I remembered finding out about the prank and getting wasted. I remembered running into him outside the club and absolutely refusing to let go of his arm. He had had no choice but to bring me here. He turned back from the view. “Don’t worry about it. I wouldn’t have left a stranger in that state, let alone you.” His message was loud and clear: Don’t read anything into this. I gave a self-deprecating smile. “Right. Well, I should probably go. I’ve overstayed my welcome.” I had only taken a few steps towards the door when he called out my name. “Maya. There’s the small matter of the bill.” I froze. Right. The club tab. He had covered it. I pulled out my phone. “How much do I owe you?” “Fifty-two thousand, eight hundred.” My hand stalled. That number seemed entirely too high. I looked at him, confused, and he answered before I could ask the question. “And for the dry-cleaning bill for my suit.” A flash of memory from last night returned, sharp and horrifying. I had thrown up on his bespoke Italian wool suit. Five years later, our first reunion, and that’s what I had managed to do. I wanted to melt into the floorboards and disappear forever. I quickly rounded the number up and sent him sixty thousand dollars, then practically sprinted out the door. 06 Physically and emotionally exhausted, I got back home and took another long shower, as if I could wash away the embarrassment. Then I crawled under the duvet and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. I was half-asleep when I heard the front door close. It was Hudson. He was the only other person with a key. My mind slowly cleared as I listened to his footsteps approaching the bedroom door. He paused at the foot of the bed, and I could feel the weight of his gaze on me. I tried to regulate my breathing, to look like I was in a peaceful slumber. Everything felt like it was moving in slow motion. I could hear every rustle of his clothing, every shifting movement. Then, I heard a specific sound. He had picked up my phone from the nightstand. My password hadn’t changed since college. It was childishly easy for him to unlock. There was a moment of silence as he scrolled, and then his breathing changed. He had found what he was looking for. I didn’t have any real secrets. But I didn’t know why he would suddenly start checking my phone now. Another silent beat, and then he let out a dry, mirthless laugh. “I knew it.” “You have absolutely no situational awareness, Maya.” He tossed the phone back onto the nightstand, turned, and walked out of the room. Only after the front door closed with a firm click did I dare to move. I huddled under the duvet, pulling it tight around me. I knew exactly what he had seen. My conversation with Ethan. “No situational awareness.” I repeated the words in my head. The humiliation felt like a raw, physical wound. He didn’t care that I had gone to see another man. He was just amused by how pathetic I was, how utterly I had failed to even create a scandal. As the realization settled in, my eyes stung, and the tears started to flow, soaking my pillow. Then my phone buzzed. Once, twice, three times. I didn’t care. I let it be. But then it turned into a call, and the ringing was relentless. Irritated, I grabbed the phone. It was Ethan Reed. I wiped my tears and cleared my throat, trying to regain some composure. I let it ring for another few seconds before picking up. “What is it, Ethan?” He didn’t answer my question. “What’s wrong with your voice?” I instinctively lied. “Nothing. Just a bit of a cold. Is there something you need?” The line went silent for a few seconds. “You left something here.” “I need you to come pick it up. Tonight.” He hung up before I could refuse, and a new message popped up with his address. He was clearly making it non-negotiable. 07 When I arrived at the apartment, Ethan opened the door immediately. He didn’t look like the friendly guy I’d known in high school. He looked efficient and cold, but I couldn’t blame him. I was the one who had crossed his boundaries, not the other way around. I had to get my head in the game. I decided that acting like we were strangers or being overly polite was just drawing attention to the elephant in the room. We had known each other for twenty years. Pretending we didn’t have history would be transparently fake. I’d even brought him a small gift: a boxed set of carved alabaster chess pieces. I knew his only real hobby was chess, and this was a set he’d coveted since we were in college. I didn’t miss the split-second flash of delight in his eyes as he opened the box. “You bought these for me?” I nodded, offering him a warm smile. Ethan turned one of the pieces over in his long, lean fingers. The pale stone looked elegant in his hand. “A wife, a life…” he muttered to himself. I jolted, confused. “What?” Ethan’s face was a mask of impassive calm. “Nothing. I was just thinking of an old proverb.” He was looking so normal that I assumed I must have misheard him. The two phrases sounded similar enough. “Ethan,” I prompted. “What did I leave here?” Ethan picked up his phone. A second later, my phone chimed. [7,200] He had just transferred me seven thousand, two hundred dollars. I stared at the screen, bewildered. “I don’t understand. Why did you make me come all the way down here for a transfer?” Ethan took a sip of his whiskey. “I have a rule about in-person transactions. I like to confirm receipt face-to-face.” Seven thousand dollars. A sum so small for a man like him it wasn’t worth the whiskey he was currently drinking. I nodded slowly, trying to process this logic. “Right. Okay.” I made to turn around and leave, but he stopped me. “That transfer was to repay you for overpaying last night. But we haven’t actually settled up. You still owe me a favor.” I sighed. Fine. That was fair. “Okay. What is it?” “I need you to accompany me to a gala tonight.” My eyes went wide. “Ethan, every single person in this city knows I am Hudson Sterling’s wife. Me being with you will look…” “Every single person in this city also knows that you and I were engaged for four years and have known each other since we were ten. Our history precedes your current corporate merger.” He was remarkable. Utterly resolute, completely unbothered by the potential scandal. And maybe he was right. If we went as friends, as “old acquaintances,” maybe it wouldn’t be a big deal. We didn’t say another word on the drive over. The silence was deafening. Just as the valet opened my door, Ethan stopped me. He offered me his arm, indicating I should take it. As we walked into the grand ballroom, we collided directly with the two people I wanted to see least in this world. Hudson Sterling and Seraphina. Hudson looked like he wanted to murder me. He was glaring with absolute fury at my arm, which was hooked through Ethan’s. But wasn’t Seraphina hooked through his arm, too? He’d been parading her around at every high-profile event for a year now, using her job as his “secretary” as a flimsy excuse for their constant companionship. How dared he look at me with such judgment? I didn’t let go of Ethan’s arm. Instead, I gave it a playful, provocative squeeze, my eyes fixed directly on Hudson. Ethan’s muscles felt much tighter and bigger than Hudson’s. A completely irrelevant but satisfying thought in the moment. Hudson was still blocking our path. “Mr. Sterling,” Ethan stated, his voice smooth and cold. “Is there a problem?” Hudson looked like he was about to physically drag me away, but Ethan stepped slightly in front of me, an immovable wall. Hudson took a deep, forced breath, fighting for control. “We need to talk. Somewhere private.” I took a good look at the people around us. Everyone was staring, of course, their eyes darting between Hudson, Seraphina, Ethan, and me. Hudson was the Sterling heir, and his “affair” with his secretary was an open secret. He was a man, a powerful CEO; no one was going to judge him. But for me? They would crucify me. I sighed. I just wanted this over with. “Fine. Let’s go outside.” 08 I walked ahead, and Hudson followed. Seraphina didn’t let go of his arm, naturally, and followed him right out the door. Her expression was a perfect cocktail of smug triumph and feigned victimhood. I didn’t care about her petty little dramas anymore. Hudson suddenly stopped in his tracks, glaring at Ethan, who was right behind me. “What do you think you’re doing, Reed? I don’t recall this being a group meeting.” “She’s following you, isn’t she?” Ethan and I had spoken at the exact same moment, our voices matching in icy contempt. Hudson was choked up by our unified front. He looked utterly enraged, but he didn’t have a comeback. Finally, he led us to an isolated corner of the garden, near a decorative lake. Hudson wasted no time. “What is your relationship with this guy, Maya? He’s your ex-fiancé, isn’t he?” I looked at him with pure disbelief. “Hudson, you’re smarter than this. A man can be an ex-fiancé and an old friend. This isn’t that complex.” He knew our history, he just refused to acknowledge it. He was reacting purely out of dynamic possessiveness. Ethan Reed was apparently feeling the need to add fuel to the fire. “And her first love,” Ethan chimed in, offering a dry, challenging smile. “And the man she was promised to before you swooped in.” Hudson’s face dropped. I could see the absolute rage burning in his eyes. He advanced on Ethan, grabbing him by the lapels of his suit jacket. “So what? I’m the one who married her. I’m her husband.” Ethan didn’t back down. He grabbed Hudson’s hands. “I left, and you got a chance. Now I’m back, and you don’t stand a chance.” “She is my wife!” Hudson roared. “Do you have absolutely no shame, Reed?” Ethan gave a low laugh. “We both know you’re only here with her because I am. You don’t love her, Sterling. You’re just possessive of your investments. You’re the one without any shame.” Hudson lost it. He swung a fist, connecting hard with Ethan’s jaw. Ethan staggered back, but didn’t fall. A dry smile played on his lips. “Okay. I’ll give you that one, just because I feel sorry for you.” That only made Hudson more furious. He lunged at Ethan again, and the two of them devolved into a brutal, dynamic brawl on the gravel path. Seraphina tried to intervene, but her attempts to pull them apart were pathetic. In fact, she was almost knocked over in the chaos. I watched the whole farce unfold, leaning against a tree, utterly detached. Xin Yuan was glaring at me with raw hatred. “You’re just loving this, aren’t you?” she hissed, coming over to me. “Watching two men fight over you. You think you’re so special.” “Honestly, I don’t really care,” I replied, watching them grapple. “I don’t understand what Ethan is trying to prove, and as for Hudson… he’s just acting like a toddler who doesn’t want anyone else to play with his toy.” Xin Yuan looked like she wanted to spit at me. “Xin Yuan,” I stated, decided to twist the knife a little. “Think about this logically. When you tried to intervene, Hudson didn’t even notice you. He shoved you away like an annoyance.” “For all your talk of being the ‘most important person,’ his body’s actual reactions say something completely different.” Her expression twisted into something monstrous. I had hit the bullseye. Our five-year marriage was a tangible, undeniable reality. And every interaction we had, every flicker of possessiveness, every moment of familiarity, was a reminder to her that she had been gone, and I had been here. I could see a flicker of desperate resolve in her eyes. I knew she was about to pull something. A second later, she screamed and threw herself backwards into the lake. I didn’t even have time to think. Instinct took over, and I immediately dived in after her. She looked shocked when she saw me in the water beside her. She thrashed, and under the cover of the splashing water, she pulled me close and whispered, “Let’s see who he chooses, Maya. You’re going to lose.” Then, using my shoulder for leverage, she pushed off and swam away towards the far side of the lake, leaving me struggling with my heavy gown. The other two finally noticed us in the water. Ethan Reed panicked. “Maya!” I gasped for air, struggling to stay afloat as my heavy dress absorbed the water. “I’m okay, Ethan! I’m over here!” Ethan immediately swam towards me. Hudson Sterling followed right behind him, but only after seeing that Ethan was going for me did he turn and swim towards Xin Yuan.

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When my succubus blood finally awakened, my boyfriend, Liam, broke up with me. I crouched by the side of the road, crying. Not because of the breakup, but because… I felt so physically uncomfortable. Liam looked annoyed. He grabbed his roommate. “Handle her for me, will you? I have a date to get to.” Wyatt gave a low “Mm” and nodded. He walked over and asked me, “Chloe, what will it take for you to stop crying?” I carefully clutched the back of my dress, terrified he’d see my bunny tail. But, oh no. My bunny ears were about to pop out too. I could only bite my lip and beg him, “Kiss me.” Wyatt raised an eyebrow. “How?” I reached up to hold down my twitching ears and whispered, “Kiss me until I feel good.” 01 I felt terrible. The bunny tail that had just popped out was making me incredibly uncomfortable. But what felt even worse was the nameless, surging tide of desire crashing through my veins. I wanted Liam to kiss me, to hold me. Maybe even go a step further. But five minutes ago, he had suddenly dumped me. At first, I was stunned. But when I saw Harper standing a short distance away, it all made sense. His unforgettable ex-girlfriend had come back for a second chance. “Alright, Chloe, I’ve made myself clear. Let’s just leave it at that.” Liam sounded impatient, constantly glancing back at Harper. “I put up with it for half a year, but I really don’t like your ‘cute’ vibe. I’m sorry.” “Being with you is like raising a kid.” “You’re cute, and you’re pretty, but… you just don’t give me that romantic spark.” “I prefer women like Harper. She actually has womanly charm.” 02 I stared at him blankly, wanting to explain myself. I did act a lot like a kid before. But our succubus clan only begins our true awakening at the age of twenty. Before that, our physical development is basically paused. Today, I originally wanted to tell him the good news. I had finally grown up. I could wear beautiful, sexy slip dresses. I was developing the alluring curves of an adult woman. But before I could even tell him… He said all those hurtful things. I felt a little sad. My eyes were beet red, just like a rabbit’s. Liam’s frown deepened. “You’re doing it again. Your eyes get red over the slightest thing, acting like someone is bullying you.” I felt even more wronged. My true form was a rabbit—rabbits naturally have red eyes! “Whatever, I’ve said what I needed to say. I’m leaving. Go back to your dorm.” Liam turned to leave. But I suddenly crouched by the curb and started to cry. Not because he wanted to break up. Not because of his hurtful words. I just felt so incredibly uncomfortable. My body felt like it was on fire. The blood in my veins felt like it was boiling. My mouth was dry, and my heart was beating terrifyingly fast. My mom had told me that after a succubus matures, we feed on human emotions and desires. Simple kisses and hugs wouldn’t be enough anymore. Our needs are ten times stronger than an average human’s. So, it’s best to be in a relationship. With one or more steady, strong, capable boyfriends. 03 Through my tears, I looked at Liam. He was tall and had a sturdy build. My mom and I had originally been very satisfied with him. Just yesterday, my mom had given me a few little booklets, telling me to study them well and enjoy myself. I had studied them very seriously, pondering over them half the night. It even caused me to have a bunch of wild, steamy dreams until morning. When I woke up, I felt completely drained. But now, the cooked duck had flown away. Where was I supposed to find a ready-made, capable boyfriend on such short notice? Liam watched me sobbing uncontrollably. He just looked annoyed. He glanced back at Harper again. Harper was losing her patience too, calling out loudly, “Liam, are you done breaking up with her yet or what?” “Are you babysitting or what? Wrap it up!” When Liam spoke again, his tone was stiff and cold. “Chloe, honestly, crying won’t work. I’m not going to change my mind.” I bit the soft inside of my lip, looking at him with red, teary eyes between hiccups. “Liam, can we break up tomorrow instead?” At least let me get through tonight. I was terrified my bunny ears would pop out at any second. I’d be dragged off to a secret Area 51 lab for live dissection. Liam let out a scoff. “Give it a rest, Chloe. Are you really that obsessed with me?” Actually, my love was very shallow. I was purely obsessed with his face and his abs. The seconds ticked by. I felt my body temperature soaring. My consciousness was starting to blur. “Liam, please.” “Not a chance.” Liam looked even more annoyed. Just then, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure. An idea sparked in his eyes. “Wyatt.” Liam took a few quick strides and pulled the guy over. 04 “Bro, cover for me, will you? I have a date to get to.” Wyatt was wearing a hoodie with the hood up, earbuds in. He had an incredibly handsome face, but his expression was ice-cold. He was tall—taller than Liam. Long legs, broad shoulders. As for his body… I remembered going to Liam’s off-campus apartment once. Wyatt had just gotten back from a run. He was shirtless, wearing only a pair of light gray sweatpants. His muscles were incredible. And down there… I couldn’t help but swallow hard. Maybe gray sweatpants just make everything look bigger. Wyatt took out an earbud and looked down at me. My eyes immediately locked onto his fingers, unable to look away. So long. I mean his fingers. And they looked so strong. I still mean his fingers. One time at Liam’s apartment, I almost tripped and fell off the couch. Wyatt had caught me by the collar with just one hand. Even though I hadn’t gone through my secondary awakening yet, I was still 5’3″! “Forget it, pretend I didn’t ask. I know you hate meddling in other people’s business,” Liam started to say. But Wyatt suddenly gave a low “Mm.” “You’ll do it?” Wyatt nodded, his face maintaining its usual stoic, indifferent expression. Liam frowned slightly. But Harper was already furious. “Liam, if you don’t leave right now, I’m leaving without you.” “Alright, thanks man. Just don’t let her cry and make a scene or threaten to do anything crazy.” Liam threw out a hasty instruction. As he walked away, he glanced back at me one last time. But my eyes were completely glued to Wyatt. I didn’t even notice him leave. 05 Liam and Harper drove off. Wyatt put his earbuds away and stepped up to me. I was still crouching on the ground, a tiny little ball. My hands were behind my back, desperately covering the small lump my tail was making against my dress. Wyatt was very close to me. I could smell his scent. It was completely different from Liam’s. The rush of hormones was overwhelmingly intense. It was practically an aphrodisiac for my kind. I felt dizzy and intoxicated. Wyatt looked down at me. “Chloe, what will it take for you to stop crying?” Mmm, even his voice sounds so good. How did I never notice how good his voice was before? My mind was running wild with chaotic thoughts. I loved how he said my name. If we were kissing, would it sound even raspier? More seductive? My ears felt like they were itching to pop out again. I frantically raised a hand to hold them down. But, oh no. I was losing control. I could only bite my lip and beg him, “Kiss me.” 06 Wyatt seemed to raise a slight eyebrow. “How?” I bit my lip, my teeth grazing the soft flesh. I thought about how Liam used to kiss me. I thought about how the little booklets described it, how they drew it. I just wanted to avoid exposing my true form. I just wanted to feel “good.” Even though I wasn’t human. I was still a little shy. Covering my ears, I whispered, “Kiss me until I feel good, okay?” Wyatt seemed to smirk. He leaned down, the bridge of his tall nose almost brushing against mine. “Chloe.” “Yeah.” “Do you even know what it means… to kiss you until you feel good?” I blinked my red eyes. My mind was completely blank. I couldn’t think at all. He was too close. His breath brushed against my nose. Scorching, burning hot. The incredible scent radiating from his body enveloped me like a tidal wave. My blood was boiling. It felt like it was going to burst through my veins. Most importantly, being this close to Wyatt… He was so handsome my heart was fluttering wildly. I couldn’t hold back. I tilted my face up and kissed him straight on the lips. I even remembered to close my eyes. Liam used to say my eyes were too big, too innocent. He said kissing me made him feel guilty, so he always told me to make sure I closed my eyes. I was a good girl; I remembered that rule perfectly. Wyatt didn’t push me away. Instead, after a brief, one-second pause. He suddenly pulled me up from the ground. He pinned me against a nearby tree and took complete control. 07 Wyatt didn’t seem very experienced at kissing. He accidentally bit my lip a few times. I whimpered a warning, “Wyatt, don’t bite.” “Do you not know how to kiss?” “Have you never kissed a girl before?” “Forget it, open your mouth…” “Chloe.” Wyatt’s scorching palm suddenly gripped the back of my neck. His breathing was a little ragged as he panted softly by my ear. “Let’s try that again.” This time, he kissed me deep and hard. Like he wanted to devour me whole. My tongue was starting to go numb from how intensely he was sucking on it. I lost my mind, melting against him until my legs could barely support me. Until his large hand slipped down… and pressed right against the tail hidden behind my back. “Chloe?” Through the heavy fog of lust in Wyatt’s eyes, a faint trace of surprise surfaced. I almost screamed out loud. By some miracle, my brain spun into overdrive: “It’s just a little cosplay toy! Please don’t touch it, okay?” Wyatt’s grip tightened instantly. I could distinctly feel his sudden displeasure. “Chloe.” “You’re quite the wild one, aren’t you?” He lightly bit my lip. “Turns out you aren’t an innocent good girl at all.” 08 I had no way to explain, so I just mumbled and tried to gloss over it. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed his lips, his jaw, his Adam’s apple. I wanted to kiss him until he was so dazed with desire he’d forget all about my tail. Wyatt took the bait completely. He held me, pulling me fiercely into his embrace. He responded even more passionately. Until twenty minutes later. “Wyatt… I can’t.” “That’s enough, my head is spinning.” “I really can’t, I already feel good, really. Can you stop, please?” My tail had vanished, and my ears had quieted down. I tried to push the man in front of me away. I wanted to rush back to my dorm. Take a shower, then change my clothes. Change everything from the inside out. It was so uncomfortable, so tight, I felt like I was going to explode. “Um, thank you so much for just now.” I covered my chest, which was throbbing with a dull ache, and gave him a polite bow. I was genuinely thanking him. “It’s getting late, and I have an early class tomorrow. I’m going to head up now.” I was about to bolt. But Wyatt reached out and grabbed my wrist. “You’re just going to leave like that?” I looked at him in surprise. “Is there something else?” “You feel good, but I don’t yet.” Wyatt’s voice was hoarse. He was undeniably seductive. “What should we do then?” “You tell me.” I thought about it carefully. My mom said that for the first six months after awakening. I’d go into heat at least three, five, or seven times a week. I absolutely needed a steady partner. I licked my lips and seriously evaluated Wyatt. There probably wasn’t a more suitable man out there than him. “Then, let’s meet here again at the same time tomorrow, okay?” Wyatt stared at me for a long moment before nodding. “Alright. Tomorrow night. Don’t flake on me.” 09 None of my old clothes fit anymore, including my bras. Thankfully, my mom had prepared a whole new wardrobe in my new sizes. Before meeting him the next day, I showered and put on a new outfit. It was a form-fitting style that really showed off my curves. Looking at myself in the mirror, I suddenly felt a little shy. My roommate ran over and pinched my side. “Holy crap, you’re not an A-cup anymore?!” “What the hell have you been eating to suddenly get so stacked?” Naturally, I couldn’t explain, so I just made up some random excuse. “Did you do your makeup? What eyeshadow and blush is that? Why do you look so incredibly seductive?” “I’ll share the details with you when I get back!” Actually, I wasn’t wearing any makeup. Once a succubus awakens, we naturally become more and more beautiful. Especially after tasting physical intimacy—our allure peaks day by day. And this was only the beginning. But the moment I walked downstairs, I felt something was wrong with my body. It was still early. Why was I having such a violent reaction out of nowhere? I frantically flipped through the booklet my mom had given me. After a succubus fully awakens, she feeds on human desires. Especially in the first three months, the cravings increase exponentially day by day. If those needs aren’t met, she can expose her true form at any moment. Therefore, it’s best to go all the way and hit a home run with a steady partner as soon as possible. I panicked. I rushed downstairs. It was still early; Wyatt hadn’t arrived yet. I nervously paced around the front of my dorm building. And accidentally bumped into someone. “Chloe?” It was Liam’s voice, sounding very surprised.

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