Category: English

My mom’s advice was simple: “Date the hot ones, marry the reliable ones.” So, at 24, I started dating Declan Ford. Declan was a notorious player. His motto: “Of all of them, you’re the one I love.” And me? I was a master of the game myself. My motto: “The only thing keeping me up at night is the thought of you.” Everyone who knew us thought we were a perfect, chaotic match. But a month ago, my mom was diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer. At the hospital, surrounded by so much loss and loneliness, I was suddenly struck by the desire to build a real home. I decided it was time to break up with Declan. 1 Declan rarely answered his phone, but finding him was never hard. He had a private booth at a downtown lounge, and out of 365 days a year, you could find him there on 360 of them. He was tall and devastatingly handsome; I could spot him in any crowd. Tonight, he’d just lost a drinking game and was sharing a drink, arm-in-arm, with some girl at the next table. When the girl saw me, she put on a sweet, innocent voice. “Oh, hi. We’re just playing a game. You don’t mind, do you?” “Of course not,” I purred, matching her tone. “You’re adorable. Why don’t you just move in with us?” My enthusiastic invitation earned me a dirty look. I turned to Declan, my voice trembling with faux hurt. “Declan, I think she hates me. Maybe I should just go.” I sighed dramatically. “But it’s raining, and I don’t have an umbrella. Maybe… maybe this young man could give me a ride?” I pointed to a college kid sitting nearby—sharp features, clear skin, and a tank top that showed off a pair of very solid biceps. Declan’s gaze shifted to the kid, scanning him from head to toe. The poor guy paled and started waving his hands frantically. “Whoa, no way. Don’t mess with me. Everyone knows Declan loves you more than anything.” Hearing that seemed to soothe Declan’s mood. He downed his drink, pushed the girl away, and wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close. “I’m heading out, guys,” he announced to his friends. “My girl’s getting jealous. Gotta take her home and calm her down. Drinks are on me tonight.” “Long live Declan and Isla!” someone shouted. Amid the cheers, Declan led me out. In the car, he kept glancing over at me. “Are you really mad? You know it’s all just for fun. Of all of them, Isla, you’re the one I love.” He said that line at least once a month. I was getting tired of it. If I weren’t so obsessed with his looks, we would have been over long ago. He turned those eyes on me—the kind of eyes that could look at a dog with soulful devotion—and leaned in close, his voice a low murmur in my ear. “Baby, what perfume are you wearing today? It smells incredible. Baby, I want…” “I want to break up,” I said, cutting through his spell. He blinked, a slow smile still playing on his lips as he raised an eyebrow. “Alright, baby. What role are you playing this time?” We had a habit of role-playing. When I didn’t answer, he continued, his tone playful. “CEO and his naughty secretary?” “Passenger and the flight attendant?” “Patient and the nurse?” “…” “Declan, I’m serious.” My face was deadpan. His smile finally faded. He toyed with his lighter in one hand, the other draped casually over the back of the seat. He was the very picture of a rich, careless playboy. “Fine, Isla,” he said. “Give me one good reason.” “You have too many women.” “Has anyone showed up at your door? Did you catch me in the act? Isla, I need hard evidence.” Thinking back over the last three years, I realized I didn’t have any. “I want to get married.” It was a well-known fact that players feared the chains of marriage. I expected this to be my trump card. Instead, he looked completely unfazed. “Pick a date. I’ll meet you at the courthouse.” To him, marriage was just a piece of paper. The whole ‘in sickness and in health’ thing was a joke. I had to press on. “My mom wants me to find someone reliable.” He tossed the lighter aside, a wicked grin spreading across his face. “Then I’ll just have to ask your mother what part of me isn’t reliable.” My mom was just out of the hospital. I didn’t want him bothering her. “No, no, don’t! I was just kidding.” He pulled me back into his arms, planting a satisfied kiss on my lips. “I knew it. I knew my baby was just playing with me.” 2 Later that night, his phone buzzed on the nightstand. I glanced at the screen. Serena. His old flame. The one that got away. His friends had told me that I only got my chance with him because Serena had moved abroad. “Declan, your phone.” He came out of the bathroom with a towel knotted around his waist, droplets of water still clinging to his skin, tracing a path from his neck down his chest… It wasn’t just his face. His body was incredible. It was the reason I’d been stuck on him for three years. I swallowed hard, burrowed under the covers, and pricked up my ears to listen. “Hello?” “Tonight?” “Okay. I’ll come get you.” He hung up and leaned over to kiss my cheek. “Baby, something came up. Be good and stay here, okay?” A man getting a call from his old flame at one in the morning and then leaving? There was no way I wasn’t going to catch him in the act. The moment his car left the garage, I was right behind him. I waited for a full hour outside the apartment before knocking on the door. A girl in a white slip dress answered, a single braid falling over her shoulder. She looked pure and innocent. In contrast, I felt like a villain, shoving my phone in her face, camera rolling. “Isla, are you that desperate to catch me cheating?” Declan emerged from the bathroom, still wearing the same clothes he’d left in, not a single crease out of place. I frowned. This wasn’t right. Declan’s usual “sessions” lasted at least two hours. Seeing my phone, his expression darkened. “Isla, delete the video.” He reached for my phone. I clutched it to my chest and shook my head. “You’re the one who said you needed hard evidence.” “And this is your evidence?” “It’s the middle of the night. You can’t possibly be using her bathroom.” At my accusation, Serena burst into tears. Seriously? I was the official girlfriend. If anyone should be crying, it was me. Serena clutched Declan’s sleeve, her voice a small whisper. “Declan, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to cause you trouble.” I almost laughed. Honey, I was playing this game when you were still in diapers. I grabbed Declan’s other sleeve, my own voice dripping with hurt. “Declan, you can hit me, you can yell at me, but I just need to know. Between her and me, who do you love the most?” He pulled his arm free from Serena’s grasp and wrapped it around me, his hand tight on my waist as he whispered in my ear. “Baby, stop it. Delete the video. Be good.” For a second, I thought I had won. But no, he just wanted the video gone. I forced a few tears from my eyes. “So you choose her. Is that it, Declan?” I could see his patience wearing thin. “Just go home. I’m busy.” I pressed my advantage. “I’m sorry. I’m too clingy. Don’t worry, it won’t happen again.” His grip on my wrist tightened. Serena stepped in. “Declan, maybe you should go. I’ll be fine on my own.” At her words, he turned to me, his voice low and sharp with warning. “Isla, we can play games, but you’ve gone too far tonight.” So much for being a master. A single word from his old flame, and I was nothing. I shook his hand off and deleted the video right in front of him. Then I walked out without a word. That night, I moved back to my own apartment. But there was a heavy feeling in my chest. Maybe after hearing him say “I love you” a hundred times, the magic had started to feel real. But now it was clear. He loved Serena. At least, he loved her more than he loved me. 3 My mom was thrilled that I’d broken up with Declan. After her surgery, all she wanted was to see me settled down. She dragged me to a matchmaking service the very next day. “Miss Pierce, we have the $1,888 package, the $3,888 package, and…” “Give my daughter the most expensive one,” my mom declared. “Mom, you still have chemotherapy. We need that money.” “At my age, life and death are out of my hands. Your happiness is what’s important. We’ll take the best package you have.” The matchmaker’s face lit up. After taking our payment, she handed me a stack of files. “Miss Pierce, these are our most premium clients.” The photos were… uninspired. All I could see in my mind was Declan’s infuriatingly handsome face. “Miss Pierce, your phone is ringing,” the matchmaker said. The screen lit up with his name: Declan. “Hello?” “Isla, what the hell! I thought you deleted it!” Hearing the fury in his voice was surprisingly satisfying. I had deleted the video. But then, out of spite, I’d recovered it from my recently deleted folder and sold it to a tabloid for two thousand dollars. Now it was the headline on every gossip site. #Ford Heir’s Late-Night Rendezvous# #Scott Family’s Illegitimate Daughter Makes Her Move# So Serena was illegitimate. No wonder Declan had been so desperate to get rid of the video. I put on my sweetest voice. “Declan, I just saw the news. I don’t understand, I’m sure I deleted it. How could it have been leaked?” I sighed. “I’m so clumsy. I can’t even do a simple thing right. I’m sorry to cause you more trouble.” He actually laughed, completely forgetting we had broken up the night before. “Where are you? I’ll come get you.” I reminded him, “Declan, we’re not together anymore. Besides, I’m really busy right now.” “Isla, I never agreed to a breakup.” Typical player. Pining for his old flame while trying to keep me on the hook. When I didn’t say anything, he asked, “Busy with what?” “A blind date.” I hung up and pointed randomly at a file in front of me. 4 I chose the location for the date: Declan’s favorite lounge. No reason. I just wanted to annoy him. The man sitting across from me was handsome, easily on par with Declan. He even had a similar vibe. “Hi, handsome. I’m Isla.” He smiled and shook my hand. “A pleasure. I’m Grayson.” Grayson? The name sounded familiar. He stood up gallantly and pulled out my chair. His manners were impeccable. As soon as I sat down, I got straight to the point. “Isla Pierce, 29. Single mother, own my own house and car, decent savings. I’ve had three prior relationships.” “So Declan wasn’t your first?” How did he know about Declan? And how did he know I’d told Declan he was my first? Before I could figure it out, Declan appeared out of nowhere, grabbing Grayson by the collar, the veins on his hand bulging. I tried to stop him, but he was already shouting. “I already explained about Serena! I’m handling the video!” Damn it. And here I thought he was being impulsive for my sake. It was still about his precious old flame. I had officially lost interest. I went back to sipping my coffee, watching the drama unfold. It took me a moment to realize what had happened. I had gone to the wrong booth. My reservation was for 608. This was 806. And Grayson was Declan’s older brother. That’s why the name was familiar. What a disaster. I grabbed my bag to sneak away, but Declan caught me. “Declan, what are you doing? I have to go!” He ignored my struggles and practically shoved me into his car.

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“Alice, for the team-building event, please transfer the money. It’s $386 per person.” Charlotte slammed her payment QR code onto my desk, tapping her nails impatiently. This was the 23rd time I’d received that QR code in my two years and three months at the company. I had never attended. “Alright,” I said, scanning the code, entering $386, and hitting send. She pocketed her phone, walking away without a backward glance. Laughter erupted behind her. Ben from the next team leaned over to ask her, “Charlotte, that sushi place last night was fantastic, wasn’t it? The salmon sashimi was incredibly rich.” “Right? We should go again.” I stared at the transaction record: $8,878. Two years and three months, $8,878. I turned off my phone and returned to refining my proposal. 1 “Alice, is the proposal ready?” Mr. Davies’ voice drifted from his office doorway. “It’s ready, Mr. Davies.” I emailed the file to him, then printed a copy and brought it over. He flipped through a couple of pages, nodding. “Good, we’ll present it to the client this afternoon.” I turned to leave, hearing him call out to Charlotte. “Charlotte, you’ll join me for the presentation this afternoon.” “Of course, Mr. Davies.” My steps faltered, but I didn’t turn back. I’d spent three days writing that proposal, pulling two all-nighters. Charlotte hadn’t touched a single word. Yet, she was the one presenting it. It wasn’t the first time. Back at my desk, Sarah was touching up her lipstick. Seeing me, she pursed her lips. “Oh, Alice, Charlotte said she optimized your proposal for you.” “Oh.” “Honestly, you’re too kind. Letting Charlotte touch up your own work, it’s a bit much, isn’t it?” I said nothing, opening the document to check the revision history. Last modification: Alice, yesterday 11:47 PM. Where was this “optimization”? I closed the document and continued working. At four that afternoon, Charlotte emerged from the conference room, a smile on her face. “Mr. Davies said the client was very pleased,” she said as she passed my desk, her voice just loud enough to be heard. “The project bonus should be substantial this time.” Ben crowded closer. “Amazing, Charlotte!” “Oh, it was mostly because the proposal was so well-written,” she replied, glancing at me. I couldn’t decipher the look in her eyes. Or rather, I pretended not to. At closing time, I received a group message. “Celebration tonight, same place, 7 PM.” It was from Charlotte. I glanced at the group name: “Operations Team Socials.” There were seventeen people in the group, and I was one of them. Over a dozen replies had already come in: “Okay,” “See you there,” “Got it.” I didn’t respond. Because I knew, though the message was sent to the group, it wasn’t really meant for me. Sure enough, at half past seven, Charlotte sent me a payment QR code. “Alice, for tonight’s dinner, it’s $412 per person.” I stared at the number, $412. A celebration dinner. Celebrating a proposal I had written. I opened the transfer page, entered $412. My finger hovered over “Send” for three seconds. Then I pressed it. 2 The next morning, I opened my computer. A new email lay in my inbox. Sender: Ms. Jenkins, HR. Subject: Q3 Project Bonus Disbursement. I clicked it open and scrolled down. “Operations Department Q3 Key Project – [Brand Name] Promotion Proposal, Bonus $15,000, Recipient: Charlotte Hayes.” I stared at that line of text for a long time. $15,000. My proposal, my sleepless nights, my lost hair. $15,000, and not a cent for me. “Alice, what are you staring at?” Sarah’s voice came from beside me. I closed my inbox. “Nothing.” “Oh, right. Charlotte said to put together next month’s schedule for her; she needs it this afternoon.” “Okay.” I opened Excel and started creating the spreadsheet. Halfway through, I heard Charlotte’s voice. “Mr. Davies, I received the bonus, thank you!” “You’re welcome. The proposal was indeed excellent this time.” “It’s mainly because of good teamwork; everyone contributed.” My fingers paused. Everyone contributed. I looked up, meeting Charlotte’s gaze. She smiled at me, a gentle, polite smile. “Alice, is the schedule ready?” “Almost.” “Hurry up, don’t hold things up.” She left. I continued working on the spreadsheet. During lunch, Lily, the new intern, sat across from me. “Alice, can I ask you something?” “Hm?” “Well, yesterday I heard Charlotte say that the [Brand Name] proposal was hers, but I remember…” She paused, lowering her voice. “I remember I printed the first draft of that proposal for you, and it had your name on it.” My hand, holding my fork, stopped. “You must have misread it.” “But…” “Lily,” I interrupted her, “in the workplace, ask less, say less, and mind your own business less.” She froze, her mouth opening, then closing. She said no more. I continued eating. My hand holding the fork trembled slightly. At five that afternoon, Charlotte sent another message in the group chat. “Friday department social: Escape Room + Hot Pot. Reply with ‘1’ to sign up.” The messages quickly piled up. “1” “1” “1” Over a dozen “1”s, but none from me. I didn’t reply. Because I knew, even if I did, no one would acknowledge it. I had tried it once, two years ago. I replied with “1” in the group, then waited at the office until seven that Friday. No one called me. I messaged Sarah, “What time are we leaving?” She replied, “Oh? Are you coming? I thought you weren’t. We’re already there.” Since then, I never replied with “1” again. But the money, they always collected. That Friday afternoon, Charlotte sent the payment QR code right on time. “Team-building fee, $298 per person.” I stared at the number, suddenly feeling utterly exhausted. Not physically, but a weariness that seeped into my very bones. Two years. I had been in this department for two years. I had written over thirty proposals, and not a single one bore my name. I had attended zero team-building events, but paid for twenty-three. I was like a ghost, only remembered when money was needed. “Alice, have you transferred it?” Charlotte’s voice came from nearby. I looked up at her. “Charlotte, can I ask you a question?” “What?” “Why am I never invited to these team-building events?” She paused, then chuckled. “You are invited, I post in the group, don’t I?” “But no one ever tells me the specific time or location.” “Well, why don’t you ask?” Her tone took on a hint of impatience. “Everyone’s busy, who has time to notify each person individually? Besides, you usually don’t talk much to anyone, so we just assumed you didn’t want to come.” “But the money…” “It’s splitting the bill, it’s normal. If you don’t come, that’s your choice. But everyone pays their share, we can’t expect others to pay more just because you don’t show up, can we?” She sounded perfectly righteous. I opened my mouth, unsure how to refute her. Her logic seemed wrong, yet somehow also perfectly sound. “Alright, hurry up and transfer it, I still need to book the private room.” She urged me. I lowered my head, scanned the code, entered $298, and hit send. “Transfer Successful.” I stared at those two words, and then I laughed. Laughed at myself. 3 Monday morning, I arrived half an hour earlier than usual. The office was empty. I opened my computer and logged into the company intranet. I was going to do something. Something I should have done two years ago. I opened the project management system and clicked into the [Brand Name] Promotion Proposal document. All revision histories, exported. Then the six proposals from the first half of the year, all exported. Then the twelve proposals from last year, all exported. Every document, every revision, who made it, what was changed, when it was changed—all clear as day. I saved them to a USB drive. Then I opened my phone and pulled up all my transaction records from the past two years. $8,878 + $298 = $9,176. I took screenshots and saved them to the USB drive. Finally, I opened my messaging app, found the “Operations Team Socials” group. This group was created two years and three months ago, the month I joined. I clicked on the member list, counting them one by one. Seventeen people. Then I clicked into the chat history, searching for the phrase “team-building.” One hundred and forty-seven messages. I scrolled through them one by one. Beneath every team-building announcement, there were dozens of replies. None were mine. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to reply; it was that every time I did, no one acknowledged me. Over time, I simply stopped replying. I screenshotted these chat records too, saving them to the USB drive. Done with all this, I leaned back in my chair and took a deep breath. Two years. I had spent two years weaving a cocoon around myself. I thought if I just endured, it would pass. I thought if I spoke less, I wouldn’t offend anyone. I thought if I just did my job well, I would be seen. I was wrong. The workplace wasn’t an exam where you got points for correct answers. The workplace was a jungle. If you didn’t bite, people would bite you. “Alice? What are you doing here so early?” Sarah’s voice came from the doorway. I closed my laptop screen, turned, and smiled at her. “Couldn’t sleep, so I came in early.” “Oh.” She gave me a suspicious glance, saying nothing more. At nine, Charlotte arrived, right on time. As she passed my desk, she casually said, “Alice, the team-building event last Friday was a lot of fun. Too bad you missed it.” “Really? I’ll definitely go next time.” She paused, probably surprised by my answer. Usually, I was silent. “Alright then, remember to come next time.” She smiled and walked to her desk. I watched her back, a faint smile playing on my lips. Next time? There wouldn’t be a next time. 4 Wednesday afternoon, a notice was posted in the company-wide chat. “Notice regarding Employee Satisfaction Survey and Work Feedback Collection. This Friday, at 3 PM, the Human Resources Department will conduct a session in the third-floor conference room…” I scrolled down and saw a line of text. “For any work-related issues or suggestions, written materials can be submitted to the HR office in advance.” I stared at that line for a long time. “Alice, what are you spacing out about?” Lily walked over with her water bottle, curiously peeking at my screen. “Nothing.” I closed the page. “Oh, by the way, Alice,” she lowered her voice. “About that proposal… are you really not going to say anything?” I looked at her young face, suddenly remembering myself two years ago. Fresh out of university, full of vigor, believing that effort would always be rewarded. “Lily, you know,” I said softly, “some things, saying them doesn’t always help.” “Why?” “Because even if you say them, no one believes you.” She fell silent. “But… that’s not fair.” “Where is anything fair in the workplace?” I smiled. “You’re new. You’ll get used to it.” She lowered her head, saying nothing more. I patted her shoulder and continued working. At five-thirty, I left work right on time. As I reached the elevator, I heard someone call my name from behind. “Alice, wait up.” It was Mr. Davies. I stopped, turned. “Mr. Davies, can I help you?” He hurried over, lowering his voice. “We have a client visit tomorrow afternoon. Could you organize the [Brand Name] proposal again? I need to present it to them.” “Of course.” “Oh, right,” he paused, “that proposal… it was really well done.” My heart stirred. I looked up at him. His expression was a little complex, as if he wanted to say something but held back. “Thank you, Mr. Davies.” “Hm, you should head home early.” He turned and left. I stood there, watching his retreating back, and a thought suddenly occurred to me. He knew. He knew who wrote that proposal. But he didn’t say anything. Why? I didn’t know. But it didn’t matter. What mattered was that I knew. 5 Thursday evening, I was at home organizing the files on my USB drive. Project document revision histories, transaction screenshots, group chat records—all printed out and bound into a booklet. Eighty-seven pages in total. This was my “accomplishment” of the past two years. And my humiliation. I looked at the stack of papers, suddenly remembering something. Last year, at the department’s annual party, during the raffle, I won an air fryer. Charlotte smiled and said, “Oh, Alice, you’re so lucky! My air fryer just broke. Do you even need one?” I said I did. She said, “Well, you can take it for now, but if you don’t need it later, give it to me, okay?” The next day, that air fryer appeared in her kitchen. She posted a picture on her social media: “First meal in my new air fryer, fried chicken wings!” I liked the post. And the mid-autumn festival the year before last, the company gave out gift boxes of mooncakes. Charlotte said, “Alice, can you eat all of these by yourself? How about you give me two boxes?” I gave them to her. And last winter, the company issued down jackets. Charlotte said, “Alice, that size is too big for you, but it’s perfect for me. Should we swap?” I swapped. That “too big” down jacket fit me perfectly. That “perfect” down jacket, she wore all winter. What was I thinking back then? I thought: Never mind, it’s just minor stuff. Why bother squabbling with colleagues over these things? I thought: She’s a senior employee, I’m new, I should be accommodating. I thought: As long as I’m agreeable, they’ll like me. But what was the result? The more agreeable I was, the more they took advantage. The more I tolerated, the more they treated me like a pushover. I stared at the stack of documents, my eyes stinging. Not from hurt. From hate. Hate for myself. My phone rang. It was my mother. “Honey, are you coming home for Christmas?” “Yes, Mom.” “How many days can you stay this year?” I paused. “Mom, I might be staying a bit longer this year.” “What’s wrong?” “Nothing, just… feeling homesick.” I hung up the phone and shoved the stack of documents into my backpack. Tomorrow, Friday. Employee satisfaction survey day. And my judgment day. 6 At 2:50 PM on Friday, I walked into the third-floor conference room with my backpack. Ms. Jenkins, HR, was already there, looking a little surprised to see me. “Alice? You’re early?” “Hello, Ms. Jenkins. I have something I’d like to give you in advance.” I pulled the stack of documents from my backpack and placed them before her. “What is this?” “You’ll see.” She opened the first page, intrigued. It was a project ownership summary. On the left was the project name, in the middle the actual writer, on the right the credited person. Thirty projects, thirty names. The “actual writer” column was entirely “Alice.” The “credited person” column was entirely “Charlotte.” Ms. Jenkins’ expression changed. She continued to flip pages. The second section contained screenshots of the project management system’s revision history, clear as day, in black and white. Every document’s creator was “Alice,” every revision log showed “Alice” pulling all-nighters. Charlotte’s name only appeared in the final submission records. “This…” Ms. Jenkins looked up. “Is this real?” “System records can’t be faked.” She continued to flip. The third section was transaction records. Twenty-three transfers, totaling $9,176. Each entry was marked with a date and amount, accompanied by corresponding team-building group chat records. “And what’s this?” “The bill-splitting for department team-building events,” I said. “Two years and three months, twenty-three team-building events. I was never once notified, but I paid every single time.” Ms. Jenkins’ brow furrowed even deeper. “They… didn’t invite you?” “No. They posted announcements in the group, but never told me the specific time or location. And when I asked, no one replied.” “Then the money…” “They collected it anyway.” I smiled. “Charlotte said that splitting the bill means everyone contributes. If I don’t come, that’s my business; they can’t expect others to pay more.” Ms. Jenkins fell silent. After a moment, she asked, “How do you want to handle this?” “I want justice,” I said, looking into her eyes. “My contributions should be returned to me; my money should be refunded; and an apology should be given.” “What if they deny it?” “The evidence is all here,” I said, pointing to the stack of documents. “Whether they admit it or not doesn’t matter.” The door opened, and people started to trickle in. I saw Charlotte at the front, still smiling. Seeing me, she paused. “Alice? Why are you here so early too?” “Employee satisfaction survey, I’m an employee too.” “Oh,” she smiled. “I thought you didn’t participate in these kinds of activities.” “I didn’t used to,” I smiled back, “today’s an exception.” She seemed to sense something, her expression momentarily faltering. But it quickly recovered. “Alright then, let’s do this together.” She sat down beside me. Ms. Jenkins cleared her throat. “Alright, everyone’s here, let’s begin.” “Excuse me, could you wait a moment?” I raised my hand. “What is it?” “I have something I’d like to say in front of everyone.” The room fell silent. Charlotte turned to look at me, a flicker of wariness in her eyes. “What’s wrong?” I stood up, picked up the stack of documents, and walked to the projector. “It’s like this,” I said, turning on the projector, “I’d like to show everyone something.”

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My boyfriend’s college junior crashed a multi-million dollar luxury car belonging to the city’s top heir. My boyfriend voluntarily took the blame, then threw the bill at me. “You’re so rich, just pay this off.” “Didn’t you always want to marry me? Once you pay the damages, I’ll consider proposing to you.” After investigating, I found out the junior was trying to mimic a romance novel heroine by intentionally crashing into the heir, hoping to seduce him. Turns out, he didn’t buy it at all. When she found out I knew the truth, she pushed me down the stairs. “I can’t let Caleb know the truth. Go to hell!” Facing police questioning, my boyfriend perjured himself, claiming I fell on my own. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day she crashed the car. 1 Caleb Moore ran over, panting: “Ava, I need a large sum of money right now. Transfer it to me quickly. I need 1.2 million.” On this day in my past life, Caleb also asked me for money directly like this. I didn’t give it immediately. I asked him what happened. Leaving aside whether I could produce such a large amount instantly, he must be in serious trouble. Caleb hemmed and hawed for a while before handing me a bill, saying he crashed a multi-million dollar car belonging to the heir of the Sterling family. He couldn’t afford it and had no choice but to come to me. “Ava, you’re so rich, just pay this off.” As if afraid I wouldn’t agree, Caleb laid out his condition: “Didn’t you always want to marry me? Once you pay the damages, I’ll consider proposing to you.” Honestly, that sentence instantly turned me off. But thinking about how long we’d been dating, I couldn’t just ignore him. I said my family had some connections with the Sterlings and I could plead for him. But Caleb refused adamantly. After some back and forth, I realized he was hiding something. I asked for some time to gather the money and investigated privately. That’s when I found out it wasn’t Caleb who crashed the car, but his college junior, Chloe. And Chloe crashed into the heir’s car on purpose. She read too many CEO romance novels. In those stories, when the heroine crashes the hero’s car, he makes her pay with her body. But the Sterling heir didn’t play along. He demanded cash. She immediately played the victim to Caleb, claiming she accidentally crashed the car and was being forced to pay. Knowing the truth, I was completely done with Caleb. I was on my way to break up with him when Chloe stopped me. “You know everything, don’t you? You’re going to tell Caleb I tried to seduce the heir?” “Don’t you dare!” She glared at me viciously and pushed me down the stairs. “I can’t let Caleb know. Die!” I died on impact. Fate took pity on me and gave me a second chance. In this life, I’ll show them that the Sterling heir isn’t the only one they shouldn’t mess with. Neither am I. 2 Seeing my silence, Caleb decided to tell the “truth.” Still the same story from my past life: he crashed the Sterling heir’s car and was being forced to pay. He urged anxiously: “Ava, transfer the money quickly. Or else the heir will send me to jail. Do you want to lose me?” “Did you total the car? Why so much money?” I took out my phone. Under Caleb’s hopeful gaze, I dialed 911. Caleb snatched my phone. “Why are you calling the police?” I rolled my eyes in disgust. “Helping you, obviously. Who doesn’t have insurance? If they ask for a million, are you really going to give it?” Caleb got angry. “In the end, you just don’t want to give me the money, right?” He took a deep breath, softening his tone to coax me: “Didn’t you always want to marry me? As long as you help me solve this, I’ll marry you.” I laughed out loud, as if hearing the biggest joke in the world. “When did I ever want to marry you? ‘Always’? Do you think you’re God’s gift to women?” Caleb froze. The more I looked at him, the more disgusted I felt. “Look at yourself. Are you worth 1.2 million? With that money, I could buy a dozen guys like you.” Caleb’s face turned red with shame and anger. “Shut up! Look at your ugly face now. I just asked for 1.2 million, do you have to be so hurtful? And your family is so rich. They were right, the richer people are, the stingier they get…” I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face. “What are you barking at? I called the police to help you. Can you afford 1.2 million?” “Yes, I’m rich, but I’m not an idiot! You have no money but act so tough. Is this your attitude when begging?” “Remember, next time you beg, kneel first.” “Forget it this time. Since you can bark so loud, solve it yourself.” I turned to leave. Caleb panicked and chased after me. “Ava, don’t go. I… my tone was too heavy just now, it’s my fault. But you wouldn’t really make me kneel, right? A man has dignity. Even if I kneel, you couldn’t bear it.” I laughed again. “If you have dignity, why ask for money? Go find the heir. Kneel for him a few times. Maybe he’ll see your ‘dignity’ and waive the debt.” Caleb’s face twitched with rage. He raised his hand to hit me. I stood still, reminding him coldly: “Caleb Moore, I’m much more expensive than that car. Before that slap lands, weigh if your cheap life can afford the compensation.” Caleb’s hand froze in mid-air. He looked at me in disbelief. “Ava, why have you become like this? Didn’t you love me?” “Before asking that, look in the mirror and see how stupid you look.” I mocked him and got into my car. Arriving at my family’s company, I hugged my parents tight, tears streaming down. “Mom, Dad, I missed you so much.” Thinking about how I lost my life for Caleb in my past life, causing my parents the pain of burying their child, I hated myself. And I hated Caleb even more! My parents were startled. “What happened? Ava, don’t cry. Tell us, nothing is unsolvable.” I sniffled, letting go of them, shaking my head with a smile. “Nothing.” Under their worried questioning, I made up an excuse. “I broke up with Caleb.” I told them the truth about the breakup. My parents sighed in relief. “Good that you saw his true colors. No need to be sad over someone like that.” I nodded. If I was sad, it was for the pain I caused them in my past life. As for Caleb, even if he died, I wouldn’t be sad. I’d throw a party. 3 Caleb’s parents actually came to my house looking for me. The butler called to tell me. “Just throw them out,” I said and hung up. I didn’t want to see anyone from the Moore family. But a moment later, Caleb’s mother, Karen, called. Caleb’s family had a few hundred thousand in savings. Not enough for my monthly expenses, but enough for Karen to develop the bad habits of a “rich wife.” When she found out Caleb was dating me, she had him bring me over. With a superior attitude, she told me: “Ava, I know your family is rich and you’re a young miss, but since you’re with my Caleb, you better put away those airs.” “To be a daughter-in-law of the Moore family, there are many rules. The most important one is to listen to your husband and be filial to your in-laws.” At the time, I thought she was a hillbilly and ignored her, just glancing at Caleb. Caleb scolded her lightly: “Mom, we just started dating. How can you talk to Ava like that? Besides, even if we marry, Ava is my wife, not your daughter. Filial piety is my job, don’t outsource it.” If Caleb hadn’t said those seemingly correct words, I would have dumped him then and there. Later, I heard Karen tell Caleb: “You fool, I was showing her who’s boss for your own good. A girl like that, if she marries in, she’ll take over the whole house! I’m helping you suppress her so she listens to you.” Caleb said she truly loved me, and Karen scolded him for being useless. Thinking back, how could someone like Caleb speak up for me in front of his mother? I suspect they staged that whole thing for me. Now, Karen’s superior voice came through the phone, tinged with scolding. “Ava, your servants are so rude. We are guests, and they threw us out? Is this how the Pierce family treats guests?” “And I’m not just any guest, I’m your future mother-in-law. If your servants dare bully me now, what will happen when you marry into the Moore family?” Same annoying tone as Caleb. Like mother, like son. I chuckled. “Where are you now?” Karen said sharply: “At your gate. Come back immediately.” 4 I told my parents I was going home. They insisted on coming with me. “Work isn’t as important as this. I can handle it myself.” With so many security guards at home, was I afraid of them? “You haven’t dealt with people like this. You have no experience.” My mother’s voice was cool but firm. She and Dad pushed back their meetings by two hours to go with me. I found out Caleb was there too, waiting at the gate with his parents. Our car drove straight into the courtyard, and we entered the villa. It was the first time Caleb’s parents visited. They looked around, envy in their eyes, but kept their backs straight, pretending to be unimpressed. My parents sat on the sofa. “Sit.” Karen and Caleb’s father, Bob, sat down. Caleb glanced at me and sat next to his mom. Mom ordered tea, then looked at the trio. “What brings you here?” Before Caleb could speak, Karen jumped in. “Well, the kids have been dating for a long time. We came today to discuss the wedding.” Karen straightened her back. “Since we’re talking marriage, we have to talk dowry. We don’t want much, just five million.” “Don’t worry, once Ava marries in, I’ll treat her like my own daughter.” Mom nodded, not arguing, but asked: “And how much bride price have you prepared?” Karen smiled, neither humble nor arrogant. “I heard the Pierce family is wealthy. Why do big families always talk about money?” Mom looked at me. “Ava, see? This is what small-minded people are like. Mention money and they get defensive. Stay away from people like this in the future.” I nodded obediently. “I will, Mom.” Karen didn’t expect Mom to be so blunt. She stood up. “What did you say?” Mom kept her elegant smile. “Be careful. Don’t wave your arms around. If you break anything in this room, selling your house won’t cover it.” “Ava, you’re too much!” Caleb exploded. “You let your mom talk to your future mother-in-law like that?”

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After my rebirth, I ignored every call from my mob boss husband. I deleted every text without reading. I spent my days in bars with my best friends, surrounded by eager young men wagging their tails. When I stumbled home drunk for the eighth time, Dominic Vance was blocking the front door. “Where did the guy who bought you drinks touch you tonight?” I giggled, eyes blurry. “My hand. Where else? The dice cup won’t shake itself.” A storm brewed in his eyes. He ordered the henchman behind him: “Go. Find that man. Chop off his hand.” I scoffed and walked past him. “Whatever!” In my past life, we were married for eight years. Known as the “Queen of Cheats,” I won back the Canaan underground casino for him. I walked with him from a desperate outlaw to the uncrowned king of the underworld. But after achieving success, he became infatuated with a new card shuffler at the casino. Her name was Lily White. Sold into the casino like cargo, clean and fragile as a blank sheet of paper. Dominic placed her in the VIP shuffling room, personally teaching her how to deal and read chips. Until I discovered in the casino’s internal system that my marital status had been changed to “Divorced.” Dominic dismissed my confrontation with indifference: “Lily has no one. Giving her a title will stop people from bullying her.” “Everyone knows you’re the Boss’s wife. Why do you care about a label?” I broke down, rushed into the shuffling room, and slapped Lily in front of everyone. That night, my brother Sam, who risked his life for Dominic, was dragged back. His legs were broken in front of me, and he was thrown into the alley behind the casino. “Ava, this is your lesson for touching Lily!” I knelt on the ground begging him to stop, until my brother’s face lost all color and he died in front of me. I felt a rush of heat below, a tearing pain in my abdomen, and then darkness. When I opened my eyes, I was back on the day I discovered my status had been changed. This time, I didn’t cry or question. I secretly sold all my private jewelry and bought plane tickets. I just wanted to take my brother and escape this hellhole named Dominic Vance. 1 After discovering the anomaly in my status, I took my documents to City Hall to verify. “Ms. Ava Hayes, the system shows your marital status as divorced.” Hearing the clerk’s voice, I confirmed that everything from my past life was real. The date was processed on my birthday. Considering how busy Dominic was, I had booked the highest revolving restaurant in Canaan that day and ordered fireworks. I waited from sunset until the early hours of the next morning, but he never showed up. It turned out he was busy signing another paper, completely erasing my existence. Breaking free from the memory, I returned to the casino and saw Dominic’s black Maybach parked by the road. In my past life, I collapsed and rushed forward to question him. Afraid Lily would see, Dominic kicked me into a corner before the girl in the passenger seat could get out. This time, I immediately dodged into the shadows of a pillar. The car door opened, and Dominic got out first. He walked around to the passenger side and opened the door himself, a patience and attentiveness I had never seen before. A girl in a pale blue dress stepped out timidly. She stood helplessly beside the gleaming car, looking out of place. It was Lily White. Dominic took off his suit jacket and draped it over her thin shoulders, wrapping his arm around her waist as they walked toward the casino entrance. “Dom…” Lily stopped hesitantly. “I have nothing, only you… I really can’t afford to gamble…” Dominic turned and pulled her tightly into his arms, his voice filled with a certainty and gentleness I had never heard: “What are you afraid of? From now on, you are the mistress here. Besides you, no one else is qualified!” “If you don’t like it here, I’ll find a quiet place for you later, maybe build a resort…” The henchmen who used to bow respectfully behind me and call me “Sister-in-law” were now bowing to Lily, their voices loud and fawning: “Hello, Sister-in-law!” They surrounded the frightened deer-like girl and walked into the magnificent den of devils. I pressed my hand hard against my stomach. Only after they went in did I stumble away. Wiping away tears, only cold resolve remained in my eyes. I went to the hospital alone and scheduled an abortion. The doctor looked at the ultrasound screen, frowning: “Ms. Hayes, your constitution is special. You haven’t conceived in seven years. If you abort this time, you may never get pregnant again.” I smiled self-deprecatingly. “I’m already divorced. I don’t want the child to be born without a father.” The cold liquid pushed into my veins, and my consciousness gradually faded. In a trance, I saw the old Dominic pressing his ear to my belly, laughing that this kid would definitely be a gambling master and he had to teach him to read cards from a young age. He called fortune tellers to pick the luckiest name. He held me and promised that once he found a successor, he would take me and the child away from the casino to travel the world… In the end, all the warmth shattered into dust when he told Lily, “Only you are worthy of being the casino’s mistress.” After regaining consciousness, I dragged my hollowed body into my brother Sam’s ward. Fortunately, Sam was only slightly injured this time and would recover quickly. In my past life, my brother was beaten to death in front of me. In this life, I wouldn’t be foolish. I contacted people in the black market and bought two tickets to a third country for three days later at a high price. If we went through regular channels, Dominic would probably find out immediately. I called my only confidant, gave him a sum of money, and asked him to secretly discharge my brother. After doing all this, I finally relaxed. I hailed a taxi and gave an address some distance from the villa. This was my habit. The casino had many enemies, so I prevented anyone from finding my exact address. As soon as I got out of the car, a man covered my mouth from behind and dragged me backward! I struggled desperately to break free, but before I could run a few steps, another person slashed my back with a sharp weapon! Pain exploded instantly, warm blood soaking my clothes. No need to guess, it was Dominic’s enemies. The casino had swallowed so much territory that the line of people wanting him and those around him dead could stretch to the pier. I tried to reach for the knife in my bag, but my arm was twisted behind my back, and my phone was smashed to pieces. “Damn it, be quiet!” The man choking me dragged me toward a van on the roadside. Just as I was about to despair, the familiar black Maybach turned in from the main road. It was Dominic’s car! I mustered my last bit of strength, screaming hoarsely, struggling to attract the attention of the people in the car. The car clearly paused and slowed down. He saw me! But in the next second, the Maybach accelerated without hesitation, speeding away from the intersection. Through the window, I saw Dominic pull Lily in the passenger seat into his arms, shielding her eyes from looking this way. As if outside the window was not his wife being dragged away to be tortured and killed, but just a dirty farce unworthy of staining her eyes. All struggle and hope were instantly drawn from my body. Pain and cold swept over me, and darkness swallowed my last shred of consciousness. When I woke up, I was lying in a private ward. The door wasn’t closed tightly, and low voices leaked in. “Dom, the Madam is badly hurt this time. If she finds out about Miss Lily…” It was Dominic’s private doctor, Ken. Before he could finish, he was interrupted by Dominic’s cold voice: “Watch your mouth. Your job is to cure her, nothing else!” “Ava has been in the game for so many years. What ruthless methods hasn’t she seen? She’s a master herself.” “Lily is different from her. She’s clean as a blank sheet of paper. She can’t fight Ava.” He paused, his voice lowering even more: “If she makes a scene when she wakes up, bring her brother over. He’s her only family left; she can’t ignore him.” I gripped the sheets, biting my lower lip until the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. The night I helped him take down Canaan’s biggest casino, he promised me: “Ava, from now on, no one in Canaan’s underground can touch a hair on your head.” The same words, the same protection, but the person he wanted to protect had changed. I, whom he once treasured, became the dangerous person with malicious intent he needed to guard against. Footsteps approached. I closed my eyes, pretending to have just woken up. “Awake? We found out. It was done by the Thai guy whose hand was crippled for cheating in the casino last time.” Dominic threw a document in front of me. “Sign this settlement agreement, and they agree to give up management rights in the East District.” The East District was the last relatively clean area in Canaan, near the sea, with no casinos or gray industries. I remembered what he said to Lily: “Find a quiet place for you to build a resort…” So my injuries were traded for the chips to build a golden cage for his new love. I asked hoarsely: “Dominic, when did you make this deal?” Was it the moment he saw me being dragged away, or long before, when he decided to pave the road for his beloved with my blood? He frowned, clearly displeased with my questioning. I twitched the corner of my mouth and stopped asking. The answer didn’t matter anymore. Perhaps to appease me, he stayed here for the next two days to handle business. But his phone never left his hand. While eating, he would take photos and send them to the other side, showing a gentle smile I hadn’t seen in a long time. I looked at his profile, vaguely remembering eight years ago. The first time I met him wasn’t in a casino, but in a dark alley. He was caught cheating, surrounded by seven or eight men with machetes, about to lose an arm. I had just won a large sum of money, intervened to save him, and brought him back to my apartment. Later, my father back home owed a huge gambling debt and was driven to death by drug lords. I was taken to pay off the debt, a poison needle hovering over my vein. It was Dominic who rushed in with his men at the critical moment and saved me. By then, he had taken over a small casino, making me the invisible “Queen of Cheats” behind the Golden Sparrow table. Helping him swallow one casino after another, draining one opponent after another. I knew my hands were already stained with unwashable filth and blood. But even if the whole world thought I was dirty, he shouldn’t! After leaving the hospital, Dominic used business as an excuse and never appeared again. I was leaving tomorrow. Taking advantage of Dominic’s absence, I returned to the top floor of the casino and took my passport and several important ID documents from the safe. When I walked out of the elevator, my legs went weak, and I stumbled forward. The expected fall didn’t happen; a pair of thin hands caught me in time. “Are you okay?” The voice was soft, carrying a cautious kindness. I looked up and met Lily’s clear eyes. She was wearing a casino dealer’s uniform, but she still looked out of place. She didn’t know me, thinking I was an ordinary gambler who had lost all her money and was despondent. “I’m fine, thanks.” I straightened up, wanting to leave quickly. But she didn’t let go. Instead, she pulled me toward the employee lounge: “You look pale. Come rest in the back for a bit!” For some reason, I didn’t refuse. She poured me warm water and took a pack of dried mangoes and bread from her locker. “Eat something. Don’t be too sad about losing money. Go home early, your family must be waiting for you!” Seeing I didn’t speak, she hesitated, then took a few bills from her uniform pocket and stuffed them into my hand. “This is for your cab fare… I can’t help you with the ticket home though.” My throat felt blocked. I wanted to tell her to stay away from Dominic. That man had no heart. His gentleness was poison wrapped in honey. But I swallowed the words. If she knew my identity, she would definitely break up with Dominic. Then I would be the culprit. With only one day left, I couldn’t gamble with my life and my brother’s. I accepted Lily’s kindness, thanked her, and turned to leave quickly through the back door. Just as I stepped over the threshold, a cold object pressed against my temple. A gun barrel! I instinctively looked back. Lily was already lying on the hallway floor. Before I could react, the butt of a gun slammed into the back of my neck, and I blacked out. When I opened my eyes again, Lily and I were tied up in an abandoned warehouse. Lily sobbed softly: “Who are you? Why did you catch us…” A man with a scar on his face slapped her hard. “Because of your fiancé Dominic! He swallowed my territory in the West District and cut off my income!” So it was the West District gang. That territory was recently acquired by Dominic using my settlement agreement. Luckily they didn’t know me, but Lily, who Dominic had been parading around recently, became the target. I quietly moved my wrists, using a micro-blade hidden under my manicure to cut the rope. Living on the edge for years, I always kept a backup plan. Scarface thought I was just a gambler too and spat at me: “Bad luck for you, getting mixed up with this woman. Call your family, bring five million, and I’ll let you go.” Lily cried like a pear blossom bathed in rain. “Miss, I’m sorry I dragged you into this. But don’t be afraid, my fiancé is very powerful, he will definitely come to save us!” Mentioning Dominic, trust shone in Lily’s eyes. I didn’t speak, speeding up the cutting of the rope. Scarface’s call didn’t seem to go through. He kicked over an oil drum in rage: “Damn it! Dominic isn’t picking up? Looks like I need to send him a big gift to wake him up!” He picked up a dagger from the ground, his lecherous gaze wandering over Lily: “I saw you go to the hospital. Pregnant with his seed, right? Perfect. I’ll cut that little bastard out and show Dominic!” My heart sank. So she was already pregnant with Dominic’s child. Lily froze in terror, her face pale as paper: “No! Please… don’t hurt my baby!” Several men nearby laughed lewdly and reached for her. At that moment, I snapped the rope, sprang up like a leopard, and slammed my elbow into Scarface. With my other hand, I grabbed the dagger, quickly cut Lily’s ropes, and shielded her behind me. “Damn it! Kill her!” Scarface clutched his jaw, roaring in fury. Five or six men immediately surrounded us, wielding iron bars. Even though I knew how to fight, I was freshly injured and facing so many desperadoes; I soon fell into a disadvantage. Iron bars slammed into my body with the sound of wind. The pain almost brought me to my knees. I could only use my body to withstand the increasing blows, protecting Lily tightly in the corner. Scarface obviously lost patience. He cocked his gun with a click, aiming the black muzzle at me. “Bitch, you want to die!” Just as he pulled the trigger— A deafening noise came from the warehouse door! Dominic rushed in with his men, and gunshots erupted instantly. Like an enraged lion, he charged straight at us, pulling Lily into his arms: “Lily, don’t be afraid, I’m here.” Lily whimpered in his arms. Overwhelmed by fear, she fainted completely upon relaxing. Dominic gently carried her to the car and settled her properly. Then, he turned and walked toward me. “Ava!” His voice was laced with icy chill. “Why are you here?” I supported my aching body, met his scrutiny, and forced a cold smile: “Are you suspecting me?” Before I finished, he slapped me viciously across the face! The force knocked me to the ground, blood filling my mouth. “I knew you always wanted to scheme against Lily, to drive her away, didn’t you?” I spat out the blood, my voice hoarse: “I didn’t.” He grabbed a dying thug from the ground, pressing the gun to his head: “Say it. Who hired you?” The thug trembled, looking at me with fear, as if grabbing the last straw, and screamed: “It was… it was she who found us! She gave us money to teach that woman a lesson…” My heart sank into an ice cellar, blood freezing. Dominic sneered and pulled the trigger without hesitation. He tossed the body aside, squatting down and stepping on my hand. Pain tore through my heart. His tone was almost a sigh: “These hands… used to be so obedient. Why use them to harm the person I love most now?” He pulled out a cold dagger. “I told you, Ava, don’t touch my things lightly!” As the words fell, a cold light flashed! My breathing stopped abruptly! The dagger pierced my palm fiercely, pinning it to the cold concrete floor. “Ah—!” I convulsed in pain, black spots dancing before my eyes, almost fainting. The despair of impending death made me scream: “Dominic! I shouldn’t have saved you from that alley eight years ago! Shouldn’t have helped you become the King of Canaan!” He personally buried the last bit of affection between us. He snorted disdainfully, stood up, and left the warehouse with his men without looking back. Only when numbness slightly replaced the piercing pain did I use my movable left hand to dig out a micro-locator from my bra and press it with trembling fingers. My confidant arrived quickly. Seeing my state, his eyes reddened instantly. He carefully pulled out the dagger. My right hand was a bloody mess, devoid of feeling. My voice was weak but carried unprecedented resolve. “Start a big fire. Help me erase everything here.” “From now on, there is no Queen of Cheats Ava Hayes in Canaan!” 2 Dominic guarded Lily in the VIP ward until she woke up. “Dom…” Her voice was weak, filled with lingering fear. Dominic held her, wiping the sweat from her forehead: “I didn’t protect you well. I let you get hurt.” Lily shook her head gently, as if remembering something: “What about the lady who was tied up with me? How is she…” Dominic’s eyes darkened, avoiding her question: “You’re too kind. I won’t let you get hurt again.” He patted Lily’s back soothingly until she fell asleep again uneasily. Then he ordered his men: “Clean out the hilltop villa completely. Throw away everything that shouldn’t be there. Lily will move in after she’s discharged.” The henchman nodded and handed over a document: “This is the compensation agreement for Sister Ava you ordered. As per your instructions, two casinos and 20% equity have been transferred, enough for her to start over.” Dominic grunted: “Send it to her. Make her sign it.” In his view, this was a great kindness and closure. Ava had been with him for eight years; she should know her place. However, a day passed with no response. Phone calls and messages to Ava sank like stones in the ocean. He called the villa housekeeper: “Where’s the Madam? Hasn’t she returned?” “Madam hasn’t been back.” Dominic felt a trace of uneasiness amidst his irritation. Besides his side, where else in Canaan could accommodate Ava Hayes? The henchman reminded him: “Dom, could Sister Ava still be in the hospital? She was badly hurt last time…” Dominic then remembered that two days ago, he had pierced Ava’s hand with a dagger. He suppressed the strange feeling in his heart and ordered: “Find out which hospital she’s in. Send the stuff over and make her sign.” The henchman took the document, turned to leave, but was called back. “After finding her, send two smart ones to watch her. She has a fierce temper; she might use dirty tricks on Lily.” “If you notice any unusual movement, control her brother first. If necessary, let her brother suffer a bit. She knows the stakes.” Late at night, Dominic went to the top floor of the casino. This used to be his and Ava’s love nest. Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows was Canaan’s most prosperous night view, neon lights flickering, a galaxy inverted. Ava once pointed to half the lights below, smiling and saying this was their empire. He pulled off his tie irritably and threw it aside, but faintly heard a sound from the bedroom. She’s back? Right, where else could she go besides here? Given Ava’s temper, coming back quietly was definitely not a compromise. She either wanted to turn the world upside down or was hiding a more ruthless move aimed directly at Lily. His eyes suddenly turned cold. He stepped forward and pushed open the bedroom door. The neon light from outside outlined a slender figure. Dominic’s eyes froze instantly: “Who let you in here?” Lily trembled violently. She was holding a delicate press-on nail, her fingertips shaking slightly. “Dom…” She was like a frightened deer, voice trembling, “I just wanted to come in and look… the brothers at the door said no one lived here, don’t blame them…” Dominic’s gaze fell on the nail in her hand. Ava made that herself. Thin as a cicada’s wing, but hiding a secret mechanism inside, capable of easily slicing open skin or even thin sheet metal. Not just these nails, but Ava’s earrings, hair accessories, even a lipstick could hide deadly traps. The Queen of Cheats was never just a title at the gambling table. He looked at Lily’s eyes filled with uneasiness, and the hostility in his heart suddenly dissipated. He stepped forward and gently pulled her into his arms: “I don’t blame you. It’s just that the things here belonged to my late wife. If you like, I’ll have someone custom-make some for you.” Lily looked up, tears of emotion welling in her eyes. It seemed she hadn’t chosen the wrong person. If he could be so deeply affectionate to his late wife, he would definitely be a good husband and father. In the early morning, the urgent ringing of a cell phone woke Dominic. The henchman’s voice was filled with anxiety and panic: “Dom, Madam is gone! We searched all the hospitals in Canaan, nothing! But you’d better look at Madam’s previous medical records…” “Madam seemed to know about the divorce long ago. She even checked the records at City Hall.” Lily was woken by the smell of smoke. She came to the living room and saw cigarette butts all over the floor. “Did something happen at the casino?” she asked softly. Dominic came back to his senses but didn’t stub out the cigarette as usual. “Nothing.” His voice was terribly hoarse. “Just a small matter at work. It’s handled.” He hadn’t realized his eyes were bloodshot, exhausted beyond human likeness. His men told him Ava had an abortion at a hospital. That day was the day he took Lily to the casino. While he was bringing another woman into the empire they built together, declaring a new mistress, she was lying alone on the operating table, killing their child? How dare she?! The dawn outside turned white, illuminating Lily’s flawless face. Completely different from that woman covered in blood who dared to dispose of his child privately. This is fine. We’re divorced anyway. Ava leaving on her own saved a lot of trouble. “It’s okay.” He extinguished the cigarette. “Wait for me to take a shower.” He turned into the bathroom and dialed his henchman: “The scum in the East District, don’t leave a single one. Keep it clean. Throw the trash to feed the sharks at the port.” Lily moved into the villa, becoming the nominal new mistress. Dominic ordered countless expensive dresses and jewelry, and even arranged a leisurely and respectable position for her in the casino. But he felt an unspeakable exhaustion growing. Every time he dealt with the blood and storms outside and returned to Lily, facing those dust-free eyes, he felt split in two. One half was the ruthless Yamaraja of Canaan’s underground, whose word was law. The other half masqueraded as the successful businessman she imagined. He suddenly thought of Ava. Only in front of Ava could he be the real Dominic. She wouldn’t be afraid; she would plan for him, cleanly sweeping away obstacles. A gilded invitation lay on Dominic’s desk. The Southeast Asia Annual Casino Summit, inviting the King of Canaan and his wife to attend. In the past, Dominic wouldn’t have batted an eye. With Ava by his side, any gambling game was just another performance adding to their glory and capital. But now… he couldn’t remember how long it had been since he really sat at a gambling table. Years of obsession with expanding territory and handling shady business had made his skills rusty. Playing a few rounds with Lily occasionally was just coaxing a child. Dominic began habitually returning to the casino’s top floor alone late at night. Seeing the old items, he seemed to see Ava’s dashing figure again. Initially, he did save her from the drug lord and gave her shelter. Later, she won key games for him, swallowed opponents, her hands stained with blood without complaint. Between them, it was never one-sided charity and protection, but mutual reliance licking blood off a knife, tacit understanding and support in the dark. Without Ava, there would be no Dominic today! But why did he change? Was it because her hands were stained with blood and no longer clean? Or was he bored with the dependence and petty temper she showed later? But why did he feel it was natural, even pitiful, when the same dependence and fragility appeared in Lily? His heart felt like it was fiercely gripped, pricked with dense pain. He stood up abruptly. No.

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I was one of the most popular female celebrities on the internet when I suddenly announced my marriage into a wealthy family. Three months after getting married, I joined a couple’s live-stream reality show out of the blue. The whole internet mocked me. [Attention seeker. Our sister just joined this show, and she immediately glued herself to it.] [Definitely won’t be as sweet as our Harper.] [Of course not, it’s a business marriage between wealthy families. What feelings could they possibly have?] The show’s production team gave me a mission. I kept a cold face and tested my husband, saying, “I know everything.” To everyone’s shock, the usually aloof and arrogant CEO fell to his knees with a thud. Netizens: [Did he cheat? Dropping to his knees immediately?] “I borrowed some money, just for some cash flow.” Netizens: [He’s actually bankrupt! Otherwise, why would he marry an actress?] I was startled. “How much did you borrow?” His handsome face showed a hint of guilt. “It was quite expensive.” “I bought an annual SVIP subscription to a streaming platform.” “To binge-watch your TV dramas.” Netizens: [Brother-in-law, I’m crying! You really ask for the moon!] 1 The day I announced my marriage, Twitter crashed. It was a rare event. Countless netizens questioned why I was so love-struck. Abandoning a bright future to gamble on a man’s love. A group of my biggest fans and dedicated career-focused supporters were heartbroken. They publicly questioned me on Twitter: [Are you that desperate for a man?] [With your money, what kind of man can’t you find?] [Are you that starved for attention?] [We’re not stopping you from dating, but at least pick someone decent! If nothing else, look at Harper next door. Her husband is a famous director who can give her resources, and he’s super handsome.] Harper was an actress from my cohort. Our fanbases often clashed, but in reality, we didn’t interact much. Shortly after she got married, I announced my own marriage. I thought netizens would bless me just as they blessed her. But I didn’t expect… To be scolded terribly. Even though I emphasized that he was really handsome and rich. In the eyes of netizens: [When you’re infatuated, even sh*t smells good.] Right after, Harper announced she was participating in a couple’s live-stream reality show. The production team used me as a foil and tried to invite me. I originally didn’t plan on participating in this show. But a long-time fan wrote a letter saying: [Sister, we’re not against you dating. We really hope you find your own happiness. It’s just that your sudden marriage, without any build-up about your husband’s identity, and without any trace of your romance, makes us worry. We’re not against it; we’re just worried. Worried that you married the wrong person, worried that your career will stall because of this relationship, and eventually, you’ll lose both love and career. But, regardless, congratulations on finding happiness and starting a new chapter in your life. May the rest of your life be filled with joy, and may everything go smoothly. Stay happy.] I decided to join the show. Consider it an explanation to my fans. My relationship with him is actually quite good. It wasn’t a traditional arranged marriage where love comes later. There was a long period of “trial marriage” beforehand. I fell in love with him at first sight. Among the scions of wealthy families in arranged marriages, his character and looks were top-tier. Since an arranged marriage was inevitable, why not choose someone pleasing to the eye? I decided it had to be him from the very beginning. The beginning of the story: The Reserved Mr. Moore and the Passionate Miss Davis. I tirelessly recommended the TV dramas I starred in to him. Praying the big boss would invest. Also praying the big boss would be won over by my multifaceted charm. The development of the story: The Gentle Mr. Moore and the Tsundere Miss Davis. He unexpectedly visited the set where I was filming. Saw my desperate dedication. He felt bad but was moved by the light of my chasing dreams. He began escorting my career. I listened to my best friend, playing hard to get. Being a tease is the perfect solution. The climax of the story: The Refined Mr. Moore and the Successful Miss Davis. The resources he fed me, combined with my acting skills, helped me shed the “internet celebrity” label and become a respected actress. The lack of major awards was only due to insufficient seniority; I just hadn’t put in the time yet. The ending of the story: The Clingy Mr. Moore and the Composed Miss Davis. According to normal couple reality shows, our dynamic was perfectly fine. We could even gain a lot of fans. But I didn’t expect the show’s format to be a live-streamed daily life experience. With hidden cameras installed. And we couldn’t inform our partners about the hidden cameras. But some of his actions were really unbroadcastable! If broadcasted, the stream would be banned in minutes. But I had already boarded the pirate ship and couldn’t get off. The contract was signed. 2 The day the show premiered. As soon as I appeared in the live stream. The whole internet mocked me. [Attention seeker, saw our Harper joined, so you glued yourself to it too?] [So what if she joined? Definitely won’t be as sweet as our Harper. After all, that couple is publicly recognized as a perfect match.] I had just invited the cameraman in to install the hidden cameras. After netizens saw the decor of my house clearly, their tone changed a bit, but not much. [That painting? Seems like a unique piece? A 9-figure price tag?] [So she did marry into a wealthy family?] [Just a business marriage. Her husband must be ugly and frustrating, unlike Harper’s husband who is handsome and talented!] [Just using money to disguise the coldness and loneliness at home.] My husband wasn’t home yet. Bored, I clicked into Harper’s live stream. The comments were all shipping them as a couple. Hmm, so envious. Looking back at my own comments. I felt a bit stifled. I opened my phone’s chat box and asked: [How long until you get back?] Ethan Moore: [Something wrong?] I glanced at the director team; I couldn’t reveal information about the show. It was a genuine live stream of married life. I was a bit stuck. I just typed a short reply. [Nothing.] I shouldn’t have asked! The comments started a new round of mockery. [Mhm, I can tell they are a plastic couple.] [Not just an ordinary plastic couple! Look at that contact name, very official for a plastic couple.] [Just the full name. I rarely see such contact names among loving couples.] Me: … The previous contact name was a bit unpresentable. I specially changed it before coming on the show. Forget it, don’t be angry, don’t be angry. According to Ethan’s routine, he would be home in less than half an hour. The netizens’ stereotypes would be shattered immediately. I casually turned on a TV drama, preparing to boost my own view count. Less than half an hour later. The light in the entryway turned on. A man’s broad figure stepped in, wrapped in the cold wind from outside. He casually hung his dark overcoat on the coat rack nearby and loosened his tie with long, distinct fingers. His gaze swept over, softening instantly. It wasn’t until Ethan walked further in that the hidden camera captured his full face. Deep-set eyes. When his gaze fell, the surrounding air seemed to tremble slightly. A refined jawline, thin lips pressed lightly together. His steps were steady, and in his hand, he carried a sweet little cake that completely clashed with his aura. The comments went crazy instantly: [Ahhh! She really scored big!] [No one said you could meet someone this handsome in a business marriage!] [F*ck, this guy’s identity is not ordinary either, he’s the Prince of the Capital Circle!] [Sienna Davis, when you said he was handsome, you were telling the truth?! You really scored big!] [Even without love! Eating this well is worth it.] [Thought your family was rich, didn’t think they were THIS rich! Girl, how can I get your life script?] 3 He walked over quickly, not rushing to sit down, and carefully placed the cake on the coffee table. He leaned down, his warm chest pressing against me, directly pulling me into his arms, resting his chin on my shoulder. His low, husky voice was wrapped in fatigue and intimacy, “Hug.” A crisp, woody fragrance entered my nose. I was silent for a moment; his warm breath tickled the side of my neck. I tried to push him away, but he hugged me tighter. His slightly cool nose tip rubbed against my neck, getting more addicted the more he rubbed. His hot breath hit my earlobe, tinging the tip with a light red. He suddenly sat up straight, eyelashes lowered, but the corners of his eyes turned up, dark light churning in his pupils. His gaze scraped over the side of my neck inch by inch, resting on the shallow hollow of my collarbone, carrying a scorching breath. It burned my skin tight. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, his gaze glued to my collarbone, refusing to move. I hurriedly pushed him away. He reached out, leaning backward, ready to pull me into his arms again. I stood up, moving further away from him. His deep, dark eyes revealed hints of grievance. The comments were a bit confused: [???] [Is the Prince this clingy?] [Wait, is this right? Who said this was artificial sweetness! Look at their natural, intimate state. If we weren’t here, it’d probably be R-rated content by now!] [Actually, is it possible they knew about the live stream in advance and are acting for us?] [The Prince’s usual image is completely different from now. This is absolutely acting for us!] I remembered the first task the production team gave me. I took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to hug him. He retracted his gaze, somewhat disappointed, and pushed the little cake on the coffee table towards me. His low, husky voice carried fatigue, “Bought it passing by.” I stared at the bakery’s logo. It was in the opposite direction from the company, almost across the city. But I didn’t expose him. I just glanced lightly at the cake. Turned to look at him, and said coldly, “I know everything.” He lowered his head and eyes, a flash of panic crossing his deep pupils. My heart skipped a beat. He really had something! What was he hiding?! Looking at the camera in front of me, Director Qian’s voice came through my earpiece. “Ask again.” I braced myself, keeping my face cold. “What you did, I know it all.” “Are you going to confess yourself, or…” I took out my phone, hadn’t even started contacting anyone yet. He hurriedly pressed down on my phone and dropped to his knees with a thud. My scalp tingled. His usually proud, straight back curved, his knees smashing onto the floor without warning. The muffled thud made my heart tremble. What huge mistake did he make! Holy crap. Could it be, on the first day of the live stream. I’m going to crash and burn? And I said I’d let fans witness that I’m doing well. Now… The comments were already watching the show eagerly: [Holy crap, is this the rumored aloof Prince of the Capital Circle? What huge mistake did he make? Dropping to his knees directly?] [This look, I’ve only seen it on cheating scumbags!] [Cheating? Is it this exciting on the first day of recording?] [Hahahaha! I believe the production team has no script now, the other couple is truly sweet!] [So the initial intimacy makes sense now. After all, cheating scumbags always use this trick to comfort their wives at home.] 4 I took a deep breath, suppressed the churning emotions in my heart, maintained my cold expression, and said flatly, “Speak.” Ethan’s jawline tightened, the tips of his ears flushing with a thin red. “I borrowed some money, just for some cash flow.” The comments flooded the screen instantly. [Is he bankrupt?] [Sienna just married into the family not long ago, and he’s bankrupt? I’m afraid this is a scam targeting Sienna.] [Sigh, advised her then not to be love-struck, not to fantasize about marrying into a wealthy family, now look…] [Makes sense, if he wasn’t bankrupt, why would a wealthy family marry an actress?] [Meaning, Sienna is carrying a mountain of debt now?] I sighed softly, borrowed… some money?! My tone trembled with surprise, “How much did you borrow?” He actually used it for cash flow. I started calculating, if I divorce now. How many years would I have to work in the entertainment industry to pay off the debt? He hesitated slightly. “A bit expensive.” My vision went black. As if I could already see a dark future ahead. He continued to speak. “To subscribe to a streaming platform’s SVIP.” The comments were already getting lively: [???] [Is this the streaming SVIP I know?] [No no no, it must be the rumored dark web, definitely not a streaming platform’s SVIP!] [CEOs all have rumored unlimited black cards.] I laughed in anger. Wait, you… Are just fear-mongering! A streaming SVIP used for cash flow? He quickly added, “To binge-watch your TV dramas.” The comments went crazy, screen full of: [!!!] [You dare play us?] [Brother-in-law, you really do ask for the moon.] [No, an SVIP for a streaming platform, is it worth you using ‘cash flow’ for?] Seeing me silent. He started speaking softly again. Explaining: “I knew you had a streaming membership, but your ‘Red Beans’ (fanbase name) said nowadays TV dramas depend on new user acquisition rates and viewing duration, so I subscribed.” I raised an eyebrow, not speaking. He paused, “I know you hate the process of faking traffic and data, wanting to rely on your own strength, but for your TV drama, I still wanted to show some support.” My cold eyes lifted. “Just for this little bit of money, you used the phrase ‘cash flow’?” Director Qian’s confused voice came through the earpiece. “Does your husband not even have pocket money usually?” I felt a bit guilty, hurriedly explained smoothly. “Although your primary card is with me, didn’t I give you a supplementary card?” Ethan spoke softly, “But then wouldn’t you see the transaction history? I didn’t dare use it.” Comments: [???] [No, bro, you…] [As a CEO, shouldn’t you be arrogant, cool, domineering, and dazzling? Need ‘cash flow’ just for a streaming membership?] He paused for a moment. “As for cash flow, Carter Zane’s family situation is similar to ours.” “I borrowed the money he uses for smoking this month, promised him that once my cash flow recovers, I’ll pay him back immediately.” I took a deep breath, eyes looking indescribable. “How are you going to recover your cash flow?” His guilty gaze drifted to the little cake on the table. “This little cake, I transferred a bit more money to the shop, and the shop gave me a kickback.” I felt a bit numb. Stared silently at Ethan. Ethan suddenly hooked the corner of his mouth, “You didn’t know? You tricked me?” I felt guilty. Thinking about how to resolve this situation. He loosened his tie, speaking seamlessly. “This room, the heating is a bit strong.” Started taking off his clothes one by one. Until, only a shirt remained. Looking up, his eyes somewhat impassioned. “Sienna, do you want to tear this shirt for fun?” The comments had become screaming chickens. [Ahhh!] [No wonder Sienna saw her brother-in-law kneel and had no reaction, looks like they often play this kind of game.] [I want to see too, brother-in-law’s body should be pretty good.]

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1 Late at night, my best friend’s voice, hoarse and breathless, came through on a voice message. “Six-foot-two, eight-pack, a body built by the gods… girl, I’ve hit the jackpot!” I got the picture instantly, my heart swelling with a familiar pang of envy for her. But the next second, when I saw the photo she sent, my entire body went rigid. In the picture, a man’s bare chest was a canvas of love bites and teeth marks, but the face above it was one seared into my soul. It was my husband of six years, Major General Eason Pierce. … Anna’s voice messages kept coming, a chaotic mix of illicit sounds and her broken, panting words. “Nina… mmm… we’ve been… ah… together for three years…” “He wants… oh… to marry me…” My mind was a snowstorm of white noise. My hands trembled as I tried to type. Eason and I had a marriage of convenience, a contract that had expired just last month. I’d cautiously asked him then if we could maybe not get a divorce. But Eason had said he didn’t want to endanger my daughter and me. He was the youngest Major General on the base, a prime target for terrorists who often went after military families. So, for six years, no one besides our parents knew he was my husband. I thought it was his way of protecting us. Only now did I realize it was all so he could be with the woman he truly loved, out in the open, without a single shadow of complication. I choked back a sob and managed to ask, “Didn’t you say he was a high-ranking officer? Aren’t you afraid of retaliation if you marry him?” Anna sent me a screenshot. The message, from that all-too-familiar profile picture, contained more words than he’d said to me in the past month. “Anna, the fact that I’m proposing means I can protect you. I promise.” “If you’re worried, I can transfer half of my assets to you right now. And I’ll draw up my will. Our child will be my sole heir.” “Anna, I have the most magnificent wedding planned for you. All I need is for you to say yes.” Tears blurred my vision, a sharp pain lancing through my heart. I remembered our own wedding. To keep it secret, we didn’t even take photos. Just a quick, sterile trip to the courthouse. I remembered giving birth, completely alone, not even daring to write my husband’s name on the forms. I remembered my daughter being taunted in kindergarten, called a pathetic little girl with no dad. A tide of bitterness and grief washed over me, threatening to pull me under. Just as I was about to tell Anna that this man, her man, had once signed a marriage certificate with me, another message came through from her. “Nina, let’s meet up tomorrow. Our old spot.” Fine. Some things were better said face to face. 2 I went to the familiar old diner where we used to grab food back in our academy days. The moment we met, Anna grinned and handed me a wedding invitation. The cover was embossed with gold foil. Inside, a photo of her and Eason, beaming. Below it, their signatures, side-by-side. “He said he wanted to show how much he values my friends and family, so he signed every single one of their invitations by hand,” Anna said, her eyes soft with a light that I recognized all too well whenever she spoke of her fiancé. The words I had practiced, the truth I had come to tell, all caught in my throat. I was silent for a long time before I finally found my voice. “Anna,” I said softly, “I can’t make it to your wedding. I’m being transferred away from the base soon.” Anna’s smile faltered. “What? Why?” “I got divorced.” Her eyes instantly reddened. “Did that bastard hurt you? Tell me who he is! I’ll have my Eason teach him a lesson!” The truth rolled to the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed it back down. I squeezed her hand tightly. “Anna, your fiancé… what’s he like?” “Eason is wonderful to me,” she said, a gentle warmth spreading through her eyes. “You’ll see when you meet him.” Before the words had even faded, her face lit up and she waved towards the door. “Eason! Over here!” I had imagined confronting Eason a thousand times, in a thousand different scenarios, but never like this. He walked towards us, his uniform immaculate, the star on his epaulet glinting under the diner lights. I stared into his eyes, searching for a flicker of panic, a hint of guilt. There was nothing. His stride hesitated for a fraction of a second when he saw me, but he recovered instantly, extending a hand with practiced ease. “Good to meet you, Doctor Collins. Anna mentions you often. I’m Eason Pierce, her fiancé.” His voice was as steady as ever, as if we were truly strangers meeting for the first time. I slowly raised my hand to shake his. My mind flashed back to six years ago, to him kneeling before me under the regimental flag. He’d slipped the ring on my finger and whispered, “Hello. I’m Eason Pierce, your husband.” “This life, I am loyal to you, and to our country.” Anna’s gaze lingered on our joined hands, a flicker of confusion in her smile. “Hey, you two… you’re looking at each other kind of funny. Have you met before?” The air in the diner seemed to thicken, to freeze. Before Eason could speak, I pulled my hand back and pasted a calm smile on my face. “No, we haven’t.” I turned to him, my voice clear and steady. “General Pierce, a pleasure to meet you. I’m Nina Collins, Anna’s best friend.” Eason retracted his hand, his posture ramrod straight. “Likewise. This is the first time.” “So formal on the first meeting!” Anna teased, lightly punching his arm. “Nina and I have been through hell and back together. If you ever dare to bully me, she’ll come after you with a scalpel, I swear!” Eason managed a small smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “With Doctor Collins watching over me, I wouldn’t dare.” The air in my lungs felt thin, suffocating. I had to get out of there. Now. “Alright, you two lovebirds can have your moment. I don’t want to be a third wheel,” I said, grabbing my coat. My tone was so breezy it felt like a lie even to myself. “Anna, I’m so happy for you. I have to get back to the hospital, I’ve got a surgery.” “Nina—” Anna started, trying to make me stay. “Remember, it’s a secret for now,” I cut her off, giving Eason one last, deep look before turning and walking away. It wasn’t until I found an empty corner outside that my strength gave out. I leaned against the cold brick wall, clamping a hand over my mouth to choke back the sobs that threatened to tear me apart. My phone vibrated in my pocket, the special ringtone I’d set for him grating on my nerves. I wiped my face and answered. Two encrypted messages: “Waiting for you at the house.” “Return at once.” 3 When I got home, Eason handed me two plane tickets. “The earliest flight tomorrow. Take Lily and go south for a few days.” “Come back after my wedding with Anna is over.” I stared at the cold glint of the star on his shoulder, my voice eerily calm. “Eason, Anna and I met at a field hospital on the border. She took a bullet for me.” “So, since you’re willing to lie to me for six years just to marry her, you had better treat her right.” “If you ever hurt her, I swear I will expose everything and make sure she leaves you.” Eason stared at me for a long moment, a ghost of a mocking smile on his lips. “Done with the theatrics? This marriage with Anna has been two years in the planning. I will not allow for any accidents.” “That includes you.” He paused, his gaze turning complex. “You can have whatever you want as compensation. A promotion to head of surgery, shares in the military hospital, even… I could retire from the service.” I froze. For Anna, he would even give up the stars on his shoulders. So he was capable of sacrificing everything. It was just that the impulse had never been for me. “This is the only thing I’m asking of you,” Eason said, seeing the stunned look on my face. A rare note of weary pleading entered his voice. “Take Lily on vacation. Once the wedding is over, I’ll arrange everything. I’ll compensate you and our daughter properly.” He said compensate, as if the scraps left over from his grand wedding could erase six years of deception and betrayal. I was silent for a long time before I asked a question I never thought I would have to ask. “Eason.” “When you decided to marry her, did you ever, even for a second, think about what would happen to Lily and me?” He turned his face away, his jawline clenched tight. It was a long time before he spoke. “I did. But I was more afraid that if Anna found out, she would never forgive me.” Seeing him, ready to throw away his entire future for another woman, the fire that had burned inside me for six years suddenly went out. “Fine. I’ll take Lily and go.” Eason visibly relaxed, the tension in his eyes easing. “I’ll change the tickets to the first flight out tomorrow. Your accommodations will be arranged according to the highest standards for military families.” “Don’t bother,” I said with a faint smile. “General Pierce, I wish you a happy marriage.” 4 The next day, I held Lily’s hand as we walked into the airport. With half an hour until boarding, Lily leaned against my leg and whispered, “Mommy, will we be able to see Daddy’s big training planes from the new place?” “Yes,” I said, crouching down to straighten her collar. “And we’ll see stars even brighter than the ones on Daddy’s shoulders.” My phone vibrated. It was Anna. I picked up, and her frantic voice spilled out. “Nina… I’m being followed. A military jeep has been tailing me since yesterday afternoon. I’m in my dorm now, and there’s a shadow outside the door…” “Have you called base security?” “Eason isn’t picking up his phone,” Anna’s voice was thick with tears. “Nina, I’m scared…” I looked down at Lily’s small, upturned face, then at the boarding gate display. “Lock your door. I’ll call the guard platoon right now. I’ll come over as soon as I get Lily settled.” After hanging up, I crouched down to look my daughter in the eye. “Lily, Auntie Anna needs Mommy. Can you go back to the compound with the orderly for now? Please?” Lily nodded fiercely. “Mommy, go help Auntie fight the bad guys.” After sending my daughter off, I rushed to the base security office. I had just stepped into the main hall when I collided with Eason, who was storming out. Our eyes met, and his turned to ice. I was about to speak, but he grabbed my wrist and dragged me around the corner of the hallway. “Nina, what are you trying to pull?” “Anna’s in there, I need to—” “Enough,” he cut me off, his eyes dangerously dark. “You arranged for that car to follow her, didn’t you? After loving me for all these years, did you really think I’d believe you’d just walk away?” Every word was a poisoned needle, stabbing into my heart. So he knew. He knew I loved him, knew I didn’t want to leave, knew how much this was killing me. “Let go of me! Anna is waiting.” “Leave now, and I’ll pretend this never happened,” Eason warned, his voice low. “Don’t push me.” “Eason!” Anna’s voice called from behind us. She hurried over, her eyes darting between us before settling on his hand clamped around my wrist. “Anna, are you hurt?” I tried to step forward, but Anna subtly moved to block my path. “I’m fine,” she said, linking her arm with Eason’s and smiling at me. “Eason brought guards with him. Nina, thanks for coming, but…” She rested her head gently on his shoulder. “I have my fiancé to protect me now.” I watched Anna’s natural, possessive gesture, watched Eason raise a hand to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and suddenly felt like an intruder. “I should go then,” I managed, forcing a smile. “Anna, stay safe.” “You too. Be careful on your way back.” Anna’s smile was as bright as ever, but it lacked the warmth and intimacy we once shared.

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My father had an affair. He even had a secret child, a son. Just like in my previous life, my mother, Eleanor Montgomery, fueled by pride and anger, walked out on him, taking me with her and leaving everything behind. I followed her into a life of poverty and hardship, eventually meeting a desolate, premature end. But I’m back, reborn. This time, I didn’t hesitate. I pushed her away. I chose my father. The double betrayal, from both me and my father, left my mother trembling with rage. She cursed me, called me an ungrateful wretch. “So what?” I’d spat back, the words laced with a venom born of past suffering. “I’m never going back to that miserable life with you!” … It was during my sophomore year of high school that my mother discovered my father’s infidelity. His secret son, Jeremy Reed, was already ten years old. The revelation shattered her. She insisted on a divorce, no matter what. My father, Richard Reed, however, refused, threatening that if she left, she’d take me and walk away with nothing. My mother was a proud woman. True to his word, she left him, taking nothing but me. She believed her self-sacrifice, her unwavering pride, would sting my father, make him regret his actions, and perhaps even respect her for her strength. But he never looked back. He married his mistress, Serena Hastings, and lived what he considered a ‘happy life.’ My mother, meanwhile, worked three jobs a day to put me through school. The relentless stress and crushing exhaustion soon led to breast cancer. Without the money for treatment, she died far too young. At her funeral, my father merely shrugged. “Your mother was always too stubborn, too proud,” he’d said, a cold, dismissive tone in his voice. “See? This is what happens when you leave me.” His mistress, Serena, had covered her mouth, a smirk playing on her lips. “It was Eleanor who insisted on the divorce, darling. Richard and I only got together after that. How can you blame me? She simply didn’t appreciate what she had.” Our relatives chimed in, “Eleanor had a good life and threw it away. She brought it on herself.” Everyone agreed she deserved her fate. Not a single soul offered sympathy. Her pride, her fierce resolve, had earned her no kind words, only a bitter, tragic half-life. Unable to afford tuition, I dropped out of college and started working. In the end, Serena and her son, Jeremy, fearing I might return to claim a share of the inheritance, hired thugs. They ambushed me, and I met a brutal, unjust end on my way home from an late shift. On that night, when my cries went unanswered by heaven or earth, I swore a silent oath: if I were ever given another chance, I would never again be a lamb led to slaughter. And mercifully, fate granted me that chance. When I opened my eyes again, I heard the familiar sound of my mother and father arguing downstairs. “Richard Reed, are you even human?!” My mother’s voice cracked, thick with tears. “I’ve been with you since I was twenty! You had nothing back then. We finally have a house, a car, a company, and this is how you treat me?! I want a divorce!” She then launched into a tearful account of every struggle, every sacrifice, she’d made by his side. It was the exact same scene from my past life. “That’s enough, Eleanor Montgomery!” My father’s voice boomed as he rose from the sofa. “What else can you do besides drone on about the past like a broken record?” He paced, agitated. “You’ve been idle at home all these years. The house, the car, the company—which of them did you work for?” He paused, his gaze cold. “Serena’s right. All this talk, isn’t it just an excuse to demand more money?!” Serena Hastings was my father’s mistress. His words struck my mother like a physical blow. Her eyes wide with disbelief, she stared at my father, then nodded slowly. “Fine. That’s how you see me, is it? Then divorce! Divorce immediately! Skylar comes with me. You can go off with your mistress!” “If you’re so determined to be high and mighty and get a divorce, then walk away with nothing!” My father slammed a divorce agreement onto the coffee table. Just as in my previous life, my mother reached for the agreement, her hand already moving to sign it. “Mom, wait.” I descended the stairs, my voice cutting through the tension. I picked up the agreement and scanned it. Identical to the last time: I was assigned to my mother, and all assets went to my father. It seemed my father had been prepared, knowing my mother’s proud nature, he’d deliberately provoked her into signing this one-sided document. My mother, oblivious to being manipulated, still believed he was just being stubborn. “This agreement needs a revision,” I told my father, looking at him directly. “Dad, I’m your daughter. I want to stay with you.” My father’s face broke into a relieved smile. My mother, however, stumbled back a step, her expression a mix of shock and profound hurt as she looked at me. She signed the revised agreement, packed a few changes of clothes, and turned to leave. I reached out to stop her, but she angrily shrugged off my hand. “Spineless creature! Go live with your rich father! Don’t touch me!” I knew. The double betrayal from both me and my father had wounded her deeply. But right now, her mind was consumed by her feelings for my father, and the misguided hope that her pride would make him see her in a different light. Any attempt to reason with her, to persuade her to fight for her share of the assets, would be useless. I had to take matters into my own hands. I discreetly gathered her jewelry—all gifts from my father, worth over a million dollars—and tucked them into her suitcase. In my previous life, she hadn’t taken a single piece when she left, leaving them all for Serena and forcing herself to take on dishwashing and cleaning jobs for barely fifteen hundred a month. Giving her these now, I knew, would at least buy her some time if she faced financial trouble. But my father’s assets were in the hundreds of millions; this small sum was far from enough. The next morning, my father’s company made headlines. “Reed Group Chairman’s Affair Forces Wife to Leave with Nothing,” “Richard Reed Abandons Devoted Wife for Mistress”—the titles were everywhere. The internet erupted in a storm of outrage, condemning my father as ungrateful. Partners called, eager to get to the bottom of the scandal. My father flew into a rage. “Who leaked this?! How did the media get such sensitive information?” His lawyer wrung his hands nervously. “We don’t know yet, Mr. Reed. But given the current situation, we simply must allocate a portion of the assets to Ms. Montgomery.” My father grumbled and cursed, but in the end, he had no choice but to agree to transfer the current villa to my mother and offer her an additional three million dollars in compensation. What surprised me, however, was that my mother, with an almost defiant pride, refused the compensation. My father was caught in a bind, burning under public scrutiny. I tugged his arm. “Dad, if Mom doesn’t want it, you could put it in my name. Then you can tell the media that Mom simply gave her share of the assets to me. It has nothing to do with you or anyone else.” My father agreed. He transferred the house and the savings into my name, ensuring it was legally notarized that these assets belonged solely to me. This move quieted some of the public outcry, but my mother called me, furious, accusing me of being greedy and spineless, telling me I didn’t know how to earn money with my own hands. I simply sighed. Just wait, Mom, I thought. You’ll soon learn that pride is worth nothing in the face of reality. A month after the divorce, my mother called me. Her voice was hesitant. “Skylar, how did some jewelry end up in my bag? Was it you or your father…?” Poor Mom. She was still clinging to the illusion that my father might feel some remorse. “It was me,” I stated, shattering her fantasy. I knew this was the moment my mother was starting to feel the harsh reality of the world. Years of being a housewife meant she faced rejection everywhere she applied for jobs. She had no friends, her parents had passed away, and her life was spiraling into difficulty. In my previous life, she ended up working as a dishwasher for a thousand a month, still harboring fantasies that my father would take her back. This time, finding the jewelry while financially desperate had ignited a final spark of hope for him. Unfortunately, my father was currently preoccupied with planning his wedding to Serena. “Dad and Serena are very much in love, and they’re getting married soon,” I cruelly informed my mother. “Mom, you need to start a new life too.” My mother finally gave up hope. She sold all the jewelry, used the money to buy herself a small two-bedroom apartment, and settled down. At least this time, she wouldn’t have to live in a dingy basement apartment for three hundred a month, like before. She hesitated, then said, “Skylar, I misunderstood you that day. But why didn’t you stay with me? Is it because you thought I was poor?” Recalling everything I’d endured in my previous life, I didn’t answer directly. I simply advised her, “Mom, I’ll study hard from now on, and you live well. Remember to get regular check-ups, and if you meet a suitable man, don’t be afraid to start over.” It was a long time before she replied with a choked “Okay.” Three months after the divorce, my father married his mistress, Serena Hastings. My father bought a new villa, and twenty-nine-year-old Serena moved in, bringing her ten-year-old son, Jeremy. Like many stepmothers, Serena was a two-faced woman. When my father was around, she’d smile sweetly, constantly piling food onto my plate. “Skylar, darling, you’re still growing. You need to eat more.” The moment my father left, her smile vanished, replaced by a look of disdain and veiled hostility. She’d hum a tune, primping herself, then dump Jeremy on me. “Skylar Reed, I have errands to run. Jeremy is your responsibility. I hear your grades are excellent, so you need to tutor him properly! Make sure he finishes his homework! He is, after all, the heir to the Reed family!” What errands could she possibly have? Just playing mahjong and clubbing with her fair-weather friends, no doubt. “I have my own homework to do. I don’t have time to tutor him,” I replied. I was in the second semester of my junior year, a demanding time for studies. “What’s a girl like you doing with all that homework?!” she sneered, her face filled with contempt. “Look at your mother—a college graduate, what good did it do her? Didn’t Richard just dump her? I only finished elementary school, and I’m living in a grand villa, aren’t I?” She leaned in conspiratorially. “Your mother, she just read too many books and ruined her brain. Had a good life and didn’t appreciate it. A woman’s virtue is in her obedience, not her intellect, Skylar. You don’t need all that schooling; just make sure your little brother is taken care of.” The scene from my mother’s funeral in my past life flashed before my eyes. I offered a gentle smile. “Of course. I’ll make sure to tutor him well.” Only then did Serena relent, leaving for her mahjong game, a satisfied smirk on her face. Before the sound of the door closing completely faded, a basketball suddenly slammed against my forehead with a thump. Stars exploded in my vision, and I nearly collapsed. Looking up, I saw Jeremy standing on the stairs, glaring down at me. “Skylar Reed, I’m the heir to this house! You may be older, but you’re just a girl, and you’ll get married and leave eventually! You have to listen to me and stay out of my way! Or I’ll beat you up!” “Who told you that?” I asked. “My mom, of course! She said all the Reed family fortune is mine! I call the shots here. You’re nothing!” Jeremy declared, his chin jutted out defiantly. He was right. I couldn’t cross him. Not yet. So, I would indulge him. I took him to the game room downstairs, then, under his direction, taught him how to play various video games. Once he’d grasped the basics, he waved me off, mimicking my father. “Go on, scram! Don’t bother me!” I returned to my study as instructed, a cold smile forming on my lips. Taught to be like this at ten years old? They would have quite the shock when he grew up. Jeremy spent the entire day in the game room, delighted. At four in the afternoon, estimating Serena would soon be home, I gave Jeremy the answer key. He happily copied all his homework. When Serena checked his work, her eyes curved into delighted crescents. “Oh, Richard, look how much Jeremy has improved! All correct! He truly is our future heir!” My father laughed, pleased. “Of course! What do you expect? He’s my son.” I watched them, a chill in my heart. Even in this life, where I chose to stay with my father, it seemed Jeremy was still the only heir he envisioned for the Reed family. From that day on, after discovering this free labor, Serena completely abandoned any pretense of supervising Jeremy. She was out early and back late every day, busy with shopping, beauty treatments, and mahjong. She ordered me to take full responsibility for Jeremy’s studies, even demanding I attend parent-teacher conferences in her place. Her days, in contrast, were easy and comfortable. The house, surprisingly, became harmonious, thanks to Jeremy and my feigned obedience, and Serena’s cheerful disposition. My father, free from the previous pressures, felt utterly at ease. He constantly praised Serena for her excellent homemaking and child-rearing skills. At Serena’s insistence, he even promised to transfer thirty percent of the company’s shares to her when Jeremy graduated from elementary school. My mother, I remembered, had been by his side for so many years and never received a single share. From then on, I studied even harder, practically forgetting to eat or sleep. My academic ranking climbed steadily. When I graduated high school, I was accepted into one of the top ten universities in the country, choosing a Business Management major. At the parent-teacher conference for college applications, the counselor repeatedly commended my parents for their excellent guidance. My father beamed, his smile stretching from ear to ear, as if my academic achievements were solely the result of his efforts. My mother, when she heard the news, wept tears of joy. She had worried that the divorce would negatively impact my studies, never imagining I could achieve such outstanding results. She didn’t know that after a lifetime of no education, forced to drop out and work, I cherished every opportunity to learn now. Serena, upon hearing my chosen major, pouted. “What’s a girl like you doing studying that?” My father, for once, didn’t agree with her. He chuckled. “The family business is here, after all! Maybe she can even help me out someday!” Serena, seeing my father’s beaming face, unhappily retorted, “Doesn’t our Jeremy have the company? What does it have to do with a girl?” My father scolded her for the first time. “You really are narrow-minded. Women can manage businesses too! Besides, Jeremy is still so young, isn’t he?” Serena, fuming but unable to argue, let out a disdainful huff. “What difference does it make? Our Jeremy is a genius! He gets perfect scores on all his homework, and he’s praised at every parent-teacher meeting! His elementary school graduation results are coming out in a few days. Jeremy will definitely get first place!” Yes, I thought. Busy with my own college entrance exams, I had almost forgotten that my exams and Jeremy’s elementary school graduation coincided that year. My father, hearing Serena’s words, looked even more delighted. Only Jeremy nervously lowered his head. I smirked inwardly. On the day the elementary school results were released, Serena specifically asked my father to cancel his business appointments to go with her. “Skylar Reed, we won’t be home for dinner tonight,” she said, gloating. “Our little family of three is going out to celebrate. Your dad is even transferring shares to us! We’ll be back late.” She deliberately emphasized “family of three,” pointedly excluding me. For some reason, she always harbored a subtle hostility towards me, constantly trying to provoke me, both overtly and covertly. I pretended not to notice her venom. “Oh, that’s wonderful. Have a good time.” To my surprise, less than an hour later, they were back. My father stormed through the door, yelling, “You told me your son would get first place?! Did you mean last place?!” I nearly burst out laughing. It turned out my father and Serena, unable to contain their excitement, had rushed to see Jeremy’s homeroom teacher without waiting for the parent-teacher conference. The teacher had then sharply reprimanded them, revealing that Jeremy spent his days at school trying to skip class and play games, never studying. She’d also criticized them as irresponsible parents for sending a child to every conference. Finally, to their astonishment, she presented his report card: 25 in English, 18 in Math, 15 in Science—last in the entire class. My father was shaking with anger and left before the conference even began. Serena immediately turned her fury on me. “Skylar Reed, you did this on purpose, didn’t you?! I told you to tutor your brother, what were you doing?! Why didn’t you tell us the truth after the parent-teacher conferences?!” I feigned innocence. “Dad, you know I was in my final year of high school, studying for college entrance exams. I was so busy! How could I have time to tutor him every day? And when I came back from conferences, I wanted to tell Aunt Serena, but she was never home! I couldn’t find her!” My father, hearing this, grew even angrier. “Serena Hastings! What kind of mother are you?! Didn’t you know Skylar was in her final year?! You burdened her with more! And you’re never home! What good are you?!” Serena realized she had been outmaneuvered. She shot me a hateful glare, then burst into tears. “Richard, I didn’t know it would be like this! I always thought he was doing so well!” My father ignored her tears this time. He turned to go upstairs, but Serena grabbed his arm. “Richard, we can talk about the grades later. Let’s transfer those shares first!” Even now, she was still focused on the thirty percent of shares. “Shares for what?!” My father exploded, swearing. He pointed at Serena and Jeremy. “With you two like this, what good would transferring shares do?! Don’t you ever bring it up again!” After my father went upstairs, Serena raised her hand to strike me. I caught her wrist, mimicking her own words at my mother’s funeral in my past life. “Aunt Serena, you were the one who insisted I take full responsibility for Jeremy’s studies, weren’t you? How can you blame me?” She was so enraged her lips trembled. I returned to my room to sleep, listening to her yelling at and hitting Jeremy in the living room all afternoon.

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Genevieve gave me the silent treatment, all for her childhood friend. She left me stranded in a foreign country for three years. I had a shattered leg. I was penniless and didn’t speak a word of the language. My only means of survival was picking through trash. More than once, I called her, begging. “Genevieve, I’m not going to make it out here.” Her only reply was a cold, distant dismissal. “If it wasn’t for you, would Tristan have gotten hurt? I’ll bring you home when you’ve finally shed that spoiled heir attitude of yours.” What Genevieve didn’t know, or didn’t care to know, was that in this country, you couldn’t get a job without a permanent address. And without a job, you starved on the streets. The winter was brutal. I was half-buried in a snowdrift when a stunningly dressed woman from high society found me and took me in. Three years later, on a street in that same foreign city, Genevieve and Tristan blocked my path. “Alistair, it’s been three years. Haven’t you gotten over that pampered attitude yet?” I frowned, ignoring her. I pulled out my phone and called Isabelle. “Darling, another woman’s throwing herself at me. When you come to pick me up, bring the bodyguards. It’s time to take out the trash.” 1 The words had barely left my lips when Genevieve snatched the phone from my hand and ended the call. “Alistair, when are you going to grow up? You’ve even learned to lie.” As she spoke, a light snow began to fall. Her eyes, filled with disappointment, met mine. The scene threw me back three years. Genevieve and I were married young, a smooth transition from university sweethearts to husband and wife. The world saw us as the golden couple, a perfect match from powerful families. Her promise to me had been absolute: “Alistair, you’re the heir to a fortune, and I’m the darling of high society. We’re made for each other. No one can ever tear us apart.” Her devotion made me give her everything, from my shares in the company to the deeds to our properties. She was my world. In our first year of marriage, she wrestled control of my family’s corporation from my stepmother, ensuring my late mother’s portrait was hung in the main hall of the family estate. In our second year, she scoured the globe for the best doctors to help me overcome the childhood trauma that still haunted me. In our third year, she endured endless hospital visits and grueling rounds of IVF, determined to give me twins, a boy and a girl, so I could finally feel what it was like to have a real family. Even on our wedding day, as I carried her over the threshold, she had bowed her head so I wouldn’t have to bend mine. “Alistair,” she had said, “you are my husband. I want everyone to look past me and see you standing tall.” And so, wrapped in her love, I had been carefree and demanding. I made her text me back instantly, even during board meetings. I’d make her drive a thousand miles back from a business trip, just because I missed her. Even when she was pregnant, my every mood was her priority. If I mentioned a craving, she’d drive across the city herself to get it for me. That was Genevieve. My perfect wife. And then Tristan appeared, and everything changed. He was a childhood friend of hers. His family had moved away after going bankrupt years ago. When Genevieve found him again, he was being beaten by loan sharks on the street, the result of a disastrous affair with a married woman. The familiar face from her childhood, now bruised and alone, looked so utterly pathetic. Oh, and the night they met? That was the night she was out getting me a specific kind of takeout I wanted. I’ve hated myself ever since for wanting that damn food. It was Tristan who recognized her first. Two words were all it took to reignite a childhood crush. “Genevieve.” And just like that, she brought him home. I was waiting eagerly for my food, only to see her walk in with this sad, broken man trailing behind her. “This is Tristan,” she announced. “An old friend. He’ll be staying with us for a while.” 2 It was the first time she had ever brought another man into our home, and it was the first time I completely lost control in front of her. I destroyed everything I could get my hands on in the villa. A shard of glass flew and cut Tristan’s face. Genevieve rushed him to the hospital in a panic, completely ignoring me as the stress triggered my old leg injury. I collapsed on the floor, pleading with her. “Genevieve, my leg… it hurts.” As she helped Tristan out the door, she threw back one last line: “Stop pretending, Alistair.” So I went to the hospital alone. I had just finished my examination when the doctor told me, “You were two minutes away from losing that leg for good.” Then, he handed me a file. It was Genevieve’s. “Mr. Sterling, your wife is three months pregnant. You need to take good care of her.” The news washed away my anger. For the sake of our child, I could forgive her for tonight. When I stepped out of the office, I ran right into her. “Genny, you’re pregnant.” Her face was a mask of indifference. “I’m getting rid of it. I owe Tristan my life. I have to pay him back first.” For Tristan, she was willing to abort our child. “Genevieve, you dare. If you get rid of this baby, we’re getting a divorce.” I thought the threat would work. Instead, she slapped me. Then she tried to force me to apologize to Tristan. “You’re so childish, Alistair. Tristan is the one who’s hurt right now.” The pain of being compared to another man by the woman I loved was a knife in the heart. I was forced to apologize. I went back to my family’s estate, expecting her to come and coax me back. But in the end, I was the one who couldn’t stand it. I caved first. When I opened the door to our home, I found Tristan lying in our bed. He was wearing a pair of silk boxers, a gift she’d given me. The sight broke something inside me. I went mad. I grabbed Tristan and tried to throw him out of the house. But he fell down the stairs. The fall landed him in the hospital. The doctors said he had a severe head injury and would likely be brain-dead. It was a death sentence for him, and a life sentence for me. She looked at me with that same, crushing disappointment. “You’re a murderer, Alistair. Do you realize that?” A murderer? I didn’t push him. I tried to explain that the staircase wasn’t that high, that he had slipped on his own. She wasn’t listening. She just kept accusing me. “A pampered heir like you could never understand what Tristan has been through. In your world, his life is cheap, isn’t it?” I had nothing to say. Faced with this version of Genevieve, so fiercely protective of another man, the words wouldn’t come. Silence and a bitter smile were my only defense. She shoved me. “There you go again. You just shut down. You think this is funny?” Then, she delivered the final blow. “By the way, I had the procedure yesterday. The baby is gone. Consider it punishment for what you did to Tristan.” She threw the clinic report at me. The baby was gone. It felt like a million tiny threads were sewn into my skin, all pulling at once, trying to flay me alive. The pain was unbearable. I pulled myself together enough to say one thing. “I see.” But my punishment wasn’t over. She sent me abroad. “You can come back when Tristan wakes up. In the meantime, you can reflect on your attitude.” The final outcome of our “silent treatment” was this: she dumped me in a foreign country, stripped me of all my money, and cut off all my contacts. She left me with nothing and no one. She said it was for my own good. “Alistair, you need to feel what it’s like to truly suffer, like Tristan did. Only then will you understand.” 3 The snow in that foreign city was relentless. The first day, I slept in the airport, my eyes glued to the entrance, praying she would come back for me. The second day, security threw me out. They couldn’t understand me, and I couldn’t understand them. I had no money, no ID, nothing. The third day, I lost all my dignity. I grabbed a stranger’s leg and begged for money. He kicked me away, but then, perhaps out of pity, tossed a single bill on the ground and walked off. I clutched the money like it was my last hope on earth and ran to a payphone, dialing the number that was burned into my memory. She picked up quickly. I thought I could hear Tristan’s voice in the background, but all I could focus on was getting home. “Genevieve, please, bring me home.” Her voice was strange, her breathing heavy, her words broken and gasping. “Genevieve, are you there?” All she gave me were breathy murmurs. “Mmm… yes…” I thought she had heard me. I walked all the way back to the airport, my feet blistered and bleeding, my body numb from the cold. I waited for days. The pain in my leg grew worse. I remembered the doctor’s warning and used the last of my money—money I should have used for bread—to call her one more time. She answered with an accusation. “Alistair, can’t you handle a little hardship?” “Genevieve,” I said, my voice cracking, “my leg… if I don’t get treatment, they’re going to have to amputate.” The line went dead. I don’t know if she heard me. All I knew was the pain. My whole body ached. It hurt so much I could barely breathe. I just kept whispering her name. Before, she would have appeared like a goddess, descending to save me from any trouble. This time, I was cast into the abyss, and darkness swallowed me whole. After that call, I collapsed. A kind stranger got me to a hospital. The nurse delivered the diagnosis. The leg needed to be amputated. They required a signature from my next of kin. I stared at my leg and cried. The nurse tried to comfort me. “If your family is willing to pay, there is an alternative treatment…” “I don’t have anyone,” I said. “My wife is dead.” In that moment, all I saw in their eyes was pity. Genevieve was dead to me. She died the moment she chose him over me. She died on her way to get that takeout. She died the night she sent me away. The only person I had failed was myself. She was right. I was a pampered heir. I had no idea how to survive on my own. After that day, I never called her again. Occasionally, she would try to reach me through others, but I refused every attempt. Now, her voice cut through the memory, sharp and impatient. “Alistair, have some respect. I’m talking to you. Are you deaf?” I pushed her hand away. “Three years ago, did you ever listen to me?” If she had, I would still have both my legs. A bitter sting filled my nose. I took a step back and held up my hand, letting the diamond on my finger catch the light. “Genevieve, I’m remarried.”

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The day I was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Ethan Blackwood asked me to go on a divorce reality show with him. I knew he had lost another bet with his little secretary. They had made ninety-nine bets in total, and every single time, he deliberately threw the game, letting himself lose. He lost the house we decorated together, lost our wedding. He even lost the child we created together. Ethan let Chloe perform the abortion herself, just to satisfy her curiosity about the human body. When the seven-month-old baby was aborted, I hemorrhaged and almost died on the operating table. The man handed me the contract for the show. “Ava, I lost another bet. It’s just a reality show, humor Chloe.” “It’s also a good opportunity to boost your popularity, make it easier to get roles later.” Ethan forgot that the last time he lost to Chloe, he signed me up for ten explicit films. Afterward, he promised, “I won’t let any photos of you leak out.” But the next day, a video of me completely naked broke the internet. And I was blacklisted by the entire industry, no director would hire me anymore. Calmly taking the contract and signing it, Ethan kissed my forehead in satisfaction. “Remember to choose ‘not divorcing’ in the final question, we get off together at the end of the journey.” He didn’t know, we wouldn’t make it to the end. … After putting away the contract, the call from the funeral home came. The man, who was always looking down at his phone, heard the vague words and looked up at me. “Who died?” I hung up the phone and casually replied, “A distant relative.” He said “Oh,” looked back down at his phone, and walked straight out. Forgetting to wait for me, as always. I didn’t mind and followed him. Just as I opened the car door, someone held my hand down. Ethan pointed to the car behind, “Ava, you drive yourself to the filming location first, I still need to deliver breakfast to Chloe.” I was stunned, then quickly took my hand back. Softly said, “Okay.” Seeing that I didn’t argue with him like before. He rarely showed me a gentle smile, “Remember to eat something yourself, you’re too skinny.” My eyes fell on the breakfast spread out in the back seat of his car, all kinds, more than ten varieties. Still steaming, I guess he bought them himself early in the morning. I withdrew my gaze, remembering when my stomach problems acted up, I begged him to buy me a cup of hot soy milk. He just gave me a cold look and handed me a bottle of milk, “I don’t have time, you drink the milk first.” After speaking, he rushed out the door. He forgot I was allergic to milk, the milk at home was prepared for him. He always never came home, the milk had long expired. Coming back to my senses, the car had already sped away. When I arrived at the recording scene, everyone looked at me with strange eyes. I didn’t care, quietly waiting aside. Just other guests had already finished recording the pre-interview, Ethan hasn’t arrived yet. The director urged me to contact him, took out the phone only to find that I had long been blocked. The last time he lost the bet to Chloe, was to delete all my contact information. I silently took back the phone, smiled apologetically at the director, “Sorry, I don’t have his contact information.” The people present whispered. “Did she sign up on her own initiative, Mr. Blackwood didn’t want to accompany her to the show at all.” “She made so many explicit films behind Mr. Blackwood’s back, been with so many men, it’s good enough that Mr. Blackwood didn’t divorce her, how does she still have the face to go on the divorce show…” The director is Ethan’s good friend, knows the inside story. Hearing such words, just slightly stunned, did not stop. I waited until dark, all the guests have gone back to the hotel to rest, I still sit in the recording studio. The cold wind blew through the window rustling, covering the mouth can not help coughing. The palm contaminated with bloodshot, just wiped off, someone walked in outside the door. The man heard my coughing sound, put the jacket on me. “Sorry, I’m late, the company suddenly has urgent matters to deal with.” But I smelled the strong scent of crabapple flowers on his coat. Chloe likes to take a bath with crabapple flowers, Ethan built a ten-acre crabapple flower base for her. Flowers that should grow in spring, can also bloom in winter. Seeing the rash on his neck, I moved my gaze away without a trace. Ethan is allergic to pollen, the most serious time, once in front of me shock on the spot. I cried and made trouble, begged him not to ignore his own body for Chloe. In exchange for only his cold eyes, “Don’t be meddlesome.” Pinching the bloody paper ball in his hand, took off the clothes on his body. I hate this smell, he knows. My mother died under the crabapple tree where she and my father made their vows, that day my mother saw my father cheating. When passionate love, he gave me flowers, always carefully told the florist, no crabapple. Also once swore in front of me, never let down. Just, flowers will wither, people’s hearts change easily. The boy who once loved me met the girl he loved more. The camera crew quickly notified the backup, Ethan still looked down at the phone, revealing a spoiling smile. Everyone tacitly did not disturb. Only I like playing a one-man show, alone answering the director’s sharp questions one by one. This is not difficult for me, just acting. Just take this as the last play I perform in the world. The last link, the director handed us a note. Asked the last question, “Do you still want a divorce today?” The man suddenly looked up, put away the phone, took the note. When looking at me, I have already put the note into the box. He also followed the note thrown in. Joked to the director: “So mysterious, have to wait until the last day of recording to open?” Confidently look at me, “We won’t divorce.” After speaking, he stood up for me to drag the luggage into the hotel. Only just to the door, his phone ringtone rang. Ethan immediately hooked his lips, walked aside, picked up the phone. I struggled to move the suitcase up the steps. When he came back, I subconsciously handed him his pajamas. The man shook his head, did not pick up. Chuckled: “Bet with Chloe and lost again, she doesn’t let us sleep together these seven days.” My hand suspended in mid-air. If it was before, I would definitely have a big fight with him again. Just, I now even breathing is fast running out of strength. There is no extra energy to argue with him. Took back my hand, lay on the bed. “Then suit yourself, I’m tired, sleep first.” Ethan’s attention had long returned to the phone, did not hear clearly what I was saying. The next day, the man’s wrist, more a pink hair tie. The lipstick mark on his shirt also showed that he left overnight last night. Ethan subconsciously rubbed the hair tie on his hand, let me can’t help but think of, A few years ago when it was popular to give boyfriends hair ties, I also vulgarly put my own hair tie on Ethan’s hand. The man in front of my face, threw my carefully selected hair tie into the trash can. Undisguised dislike me childish: “You are fast running to thirty, don’t play this kind of little girl’s game.” I scrutinized the words on the hair tie, that “Chloe” word is extraordinarily dazzling. Ethan does not remember, Chloe is still a year older than me. Now he is happily accompanying Chloe to play little girl’s games. “Went to buy breakfast early in the morning, let’s eat some together.” This is the first time Ethan bought breakfast for me since marriage. Even if it’s just to cover up his excuse for leaving at night. And since Chloe appeared, bringing her breakfast became Ethan’s habit. He still handed me a glass of milk. I told him many times, he did not remember that I can not drink milk. And Chloe’s preferences, just casually mentioned, he attentively recorded in the memo. I accidentally saw, densely packed, meticulous. Picked up the xiaolongbao, but was slapped away by his palm. The back of the hand immediately pan up dark red marks. Ethan pushed the porridge to me, “This is for you.” I suddenly remembered, just saw Chloe’s moments. The girl’s tone is charming, “Really want to eat hot buns woo woo.” Thought of this, everything is clear. Can’t help but speak to remind, “Today to go out to record the program.” The man has already carried the food box to go out. Snowflakes floated outside the door, laughing at himself in self-mockery. When he went to find Chloe, always rain or shine. And when I was filming and encountered a mudslide, panicked called him. He only felt that I was hypocritical, immediately hung up the phone. Afterwards sent me disaster relief supplies, also sent to the wrong place. I almost died in that mudslide disaster, and he was accompanying Chloe to check in the amusement park. Love and not love so obvious. Partial I almost die, only see clearly. I forced the porridge into my mouth. The porridge was long cold, and that steamer of xiaolongbao was still steaming. Must be he carefully protected in his arms, so that the xiaolongbao did not cool down so fast. I know this so clearly because I also had such a snowy day, Carefully holding the xiaolongbao downstairs in the dormitory waiting for him. He loved others in the way I loved him, only appear I ridiculous and sad. It is received the director’s notice, know Ethan want to be absent four days of program recording. And I need to with another three pairs of couples, continue recording. For four consecutive days, I like an invisible person, recorded by the camera. No one is willing to talk to a notorious porn star. And every day, Chloe’s moments are very lively. Ethan accompanied her to Mohe skiing. Go to Bali for vacation. Go to Santa Claus Village to see the aurora. I was tortured by illness and unable to focus on thinking, long after the aftertaste came over. Originally the place they went, is the honeymoon route I and Ethan set very early before. Finger suspended on the screen for a long time, until the nosebleed dripping submerged the photo of the two under the aurora. I was flustered with a tissue to wipe off, but accidentally click a like. Soon, four days without contact man with a strange number, called. The man’s voice was somewhat nervous, “Ava, it’s Chloe’s birthday, I accompanied her abroad for vacation.” I wiped off the nosebleed, hoarse voice said it doesn’t matter. Ethan’s voice gentle up, “Ava, recorded variety show, I and Chloe’s one hundred betting contract also completed.” “Wait to go back, I properly accompany you to celebrate anniversary.” Finished, behind him came the girl urging voice, “Brother Ethan, want to set off fireworks!” The man immediately hung up the phone. I stared blankly at the schedule message popped up on the phone, tomorrow is the tenth anniversary of me and Ethan together. And the life of the final deadline, also left a few days. Originally and Ethan together days, fast occupied half of my life. The next day, Ethan unexpectedly did not miss the appointment, on time appeared at the shooting scene. I changed into the goose yellow dress worn when just together, but took off the ring worn for a long time. Actually the ring long ago inappropriate, is I always not willing to take off. Out of the room, Ethan looked at me for a long time lost in thought, then smiling walk over to hold my hand. “Ava, you are too thin, eat more rice.” Just like when young, he clipped the only few slices of meat in the bowl to me, gently touching my head, “Ava, eat more meat.” My heart was moved, Chloe’s untimely voice sounded behind him. “Ava sister you are somehow a female star, how wear nondescript, give brother Ethan shame.” She looked up and down at my dress, can not help but puff a sound. Ethan only pettingly nodded her forehead, looked at me. “Chloe today with us to go to the jungle adventure.” Chloe raised her chin, proudly said, “What adventure, I am now your production director!” “You better behave obediently, otherwise I will definitely let the cameraman brother shoot you ugly.” Ethan not angry but laugh, full of promise. When getting on the car, Chloe sat in the driver’s seat. Provocatively smile at me: “Sorry ah Ava sister, I carsick, aggrieved you sit in the back咯.” I did not say anything, straight sit to the back seat. Two people along the way chatting about what they saw and heard during travel, I quietly closed my eyes to rest. Only the man through the rearview mirror, frequently look towards me. Chloe saw, suddenly “ouch” a sound. Ethan slammed on the brakes, nervous way: “Chloe, what’s wrong?” Chloe covered her own stomach, “Brother Ethan my stomach hurts ah!” Ethan turned his head to look at me, “You get off, I first send Chloe to the hospital.” I looked at the snow-covered wilderness, Ethan in accordance with Chloe’s route into another road. Behind the camera crew did not keep up. “Take me back together.” Chloe was anxious way: “That how can line, how can let Ava sister for me delay shooting.” Saying, tightly frowning cry pain. Ethan almost lost reason like, drag me out of the car. “They soon keep up, you wait here first, Chloe she body weak, cold weather, can not stand.” When the car left, I almost want to stand unstable. The snow is getting bigger and bigger, I waited for three whole hours, side bloody paper ball more and more. Until I fast hypothermia fainted past, a familiar figure rushed towards me. “Ava!” On the medical car of the program group, woke up, Chloe muttering on the side, “All blame me too stupid, unexpectedly pointed the wrong way.” “Ava sister won’t blame me right.” Ethan embrace her, gently coaxed way: “No.” Beside the doctor hesitant to speak, I shook my head at her. Only rested for an hour, the director remind continue recording. This time, the camera crew directly sent us into the jungle. Chloe make noise want to be together. Snow diffuse over the ankle, I subconsciously look towards Ethan. Before when snowing, he afraid my shoes wet, always carry me go. Nowadays, he did not hesitate to carry Chloe. Walked a section of road, only to find that I fell behind. Seeing my increasingly bloodless face, mouth open and open, pale explanation, “Chloe she body uncomfortable.” I did not answer, muffled head walk forward. All the way silent, fast to the destination, Chloe make noise want to roast fire. Ethan put her carefully down, to pick up wood. Chloe glanced at the camera behind, close to in front of me. “Ava, did Brother Ethan tell you, he won’t divorce you?” “He is lying to you, his every note, written all are divorce.” “Know why?” She narrowed her eyes, eyes pride almost hide不住. Stroking her own lower abdomen, “Because I conceived his child, he want the whole world witness you divorce, then grandly marry me enter the door.” Somehow, long numb heart at this moment rapid beating up. And Chloe is still continue, “He simply don’t care about the bastard in your belly, otherwise won’t let you abort.” “Tsk tsk, you don’t know, when come out, all purple…” I violently spit out a mouthful of blood, in all people haven’t reacted over when, deadly pinch Chloe’s neck. “Slut, you return my child’s life, return my child’s life come!” Twisting, my face was ruthless pumping a slap. Then thrown out. Chloe screaming: “Brother Ethan save life, Ava sister want to beat me to death!” “Ah, my lower body bleeding, our child is not can not keep?” I rolled down the hillside. Looking up, the man condescending looking at me. Face full of haze. “Ava, Chloe and child if something happens, I will never let you go.” Saying, he picked up Chloe turn head to go. Only leave a sentence, “Let her properly reflect below, who also not allowed to pull her up!” Director hesitant way: “Ethan, weather too cold, down the mountain still have wild wolves haunt…” Haven’t waited for him to finish, Ethan coldly interrupted him, “She all dare to shot hurt people, still afraid wild wolves?” “Your people immediately evacuate, who dare save her, I just stop all investment.” Throat a rush of sweet surge up, I violently spit out a mouthful of blood come. Call stop angry man, “Ethan Blackwood.” The man footsteps paused, eventually still did not turn back. Also did not hear my last sigh, “Ethan Blackwood, happy tenth anniversary.” Snow covered my body, really good, I will never pain again… The next morning, Ethan drove alone to the end of the journey. There, will the whole network live the final result. As long as both sides get off, is choose continue to be together. When passing a funeral vehicle, Ethan heart rise uneasy come. He last night already explain assistant, go to bring people back. But morning wake up, he didn’t see my figure. Only when I leave ahead. He waited at the end for a long time, finally a car stop in front of him when, he face full of joy to meet up. But wait for him to see clearly people down the car, but stunned in place. At the same time, assistant flustered rush in, “Not good president, accident!” And the radio inside the car, suddenly insert broadcast a section farewell poem. Woman voice soft, “Dear fans friends, when you hear this paragraph, I have left this world…” Director almost trembling, pass the note inside the box to Ethan. “Ava she, every time tick all are——” “Divorce.” Assistant face flustered to extreme point, “President, we press your orders to pick up madam back, but find a night, haven’t find madam.” Ethan to these followed one after another news, slightest didn’t any reaction. He stunned in place, attentively listening to the radio inside woman voice. Fingers tightly clench become fist, scarlet eyes, a pair unbelievable look. Director and assistant also already react over. “Radio inside voice, good, seems to be madam.” Ethan immediately loud refute, “Not her, you give me shut up!” I floating in mid-air, calmly looking at him. Original he know my death news when, is such emotion. I still thought, he would be happy. Because he finally can get rid of me, marry Chloe. Ethan pinching those few notes, repeatedly confirm. He look towards director, “How can?” “She so love me, how can divorce with me?” I float to in front of him, want to confirm he this moment sad, is not true. He look indeed very sad. But he if now will for my divorce choice sad words, last night how will discard me in snowy jungle.

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One hour before my wedding, I scrolled across an anonymous gossip post. [Spilling the tea on my sister’s “debt-repayment” wedding: The groom says marrying the older sister is paying off a debt, but his true love is the younger sister.] The main post was a photo: in the reflection of a hotel vanity mirror, the profile of a back wearing a wedding dress looked seventy percent like mine. Caption: [Is there anything more thrilling than swapping the bride on the wedding day?] My fingers trembled as I zoomed in on the photo. On the vanity, clearly placed, was the iris brooch I had personally prepared for my bridesmaid. There were already hundreds of comments downstairs. The original poster posted a close-up of holding hands in the latest reply. There was a familiar old scar on the man’s ring finger, exactly the same as the mark left by my fiancé Ethan’s car accident. Someone asked for details, and the poster only replied with one sentence. [The older sister accompanied him in starting a business for ten years; he said marriage is a repayment. But tonight, I will look into his eyes and say: I do.] There was a knock on the door. Chloe walked in, lifting the hem of her dress. She leaned in close to my ear, her voice as sweet as honey: “Sis, the ceremony is about to start. Look, is my brooch pretty?” 1 I forced a smile: “Yes, it’s pretty.” She took my arm and chuckled secretly: “Sis is the pretty one, Sis is the prettiest bride today, let’s go quickly, don’t keep the groom waiting.” I took a deep breath and pushed open the side door of the hall. The music was soft, the guests filled the seats. Ethan stood in front of the altar, his back straight. The officiant came up, face full of smiles. “Ms. Sarah, there’s a small adjustment at the end of the schedule, did you see the note?” I took the paper he handed me. In the original schedule, the bridesmaid only needed to hand over the rings. Now there was an extra handwritten line added: “Bridesmaid’s Speech (2 minutes).” The handwriting was elegant, I recognized it. “Who added this?” The officiant lowered his voice: “Mr. Sterling specifically instructed this morning, saying he wanted to add a heartwarming segment.” “Your sister’s writing must be very good, Mr. Sterling praised the speech several times.” I pinched the edge of the paper tightly. “I don’t agree to this segment.” “This… there might not be time to adjust, the guests are all waiting.” The officiant looked troubled and glanced towards the altar. Ethan turned his head at this moment, meeting my gaze. He gave me a slight nod, barely managing to pull a smile at the corner of his mouth. I didn’t say anything more and walked to the reserved seat in the first row. My mom pulled me to sit down and whispered: “Chloe prepared a speech, saying she wants to thank you for taking care of her these years. This child is so thoughtful.” The music changed tune at this moment. The officiant’s voice came through the microphone: “Next, let’s welcome the bride’s sister, today’s bridesmaid Ms. Chloe, to send her blessings to her sister.” Applause rang out. Chloe took the microphone, her gaze sweeping over the audience, finally resting on Ethan’s face. “Thank you everyone, today is my sister’s most important day. As a younger sister, I should have said some words of blessing.” She paused, her fingers gently rubbing the microphone. “But I found out that if I don’t say some things today, I might never have the chance.” There was a slight commotion offstage. Ethan’s body obviously stiffened. Chloe’s voice began to tremble: “These years, I’ve watched my sister and Ethan walk along the way.” “I know how much my sister has given, and I also know… some feelings were misplaced from the very beginning.” She raised her eyes, looking straight at Ethan. The light hit her face, and I saw tears sparkling in the corners of her eyes. She spoke word by word, her voice choked but clear. “Some loves are destined to cross boundaries. Even if it means bearing the infamy of the whole world, there’s no way to pretend it doesn’t exist.” The hall fell into dead silence instantly. Then, whispers spread like a tide. “What does she mean by that?” “Oh my god, is this a confession?” “The bride is still sitting right there!” My mom suddenly grabbed my hand tightly: “What nonsense is Chloe talking about!” I withdrew my hand, my gaze nailed to the stage. The color drained completely from Ethan’s face. His lips moved, as if he wanted to say something, but no sound came out. Chloe continued: “I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t control it. Ethan, I…” Ethan didn’t step forward to stop her, just kept looking at her. The officiant hurriedly stepped forward to smooth things over: “The bridesmaid is a bit emotional, we understand this deep sisterly bond, haha! Next let’s…” I didn’t hear clearly what came after. My gaze fell on Ethan’s hand hanging by his side. My gaze froze. The position and shape of that scar were exactly the same as the hand resting on the vanity in the photo. My phone vibrated in my palm. I looked down, the screen lit up with the latest reply from the anonymous post. The poster posted a new picture. And at the edge of the frame, a platinum wedding band was being gently pushed into the lens by another hand. I looked up, looking at Ethan’s hand again. That wedding band, and the ring being pushed into the lens in the photo, were the same style. 2 Under everyone’s spectating gazes, the ceremony eventually ended hastily. My mother chased after me wanting to say something, I shook off her hand and walked straight to the lounge on the second floor of the hotel. The door wasn’t locked. Ethan was standing by the window. Hearing the noise, he turned around. He spoke first, his voice low and hoarse: “Sarah, about today… I’m sorry.” “Since when?” Ethan’s Adam’s apple bobbed, he didn’t deny it. He called my name again: “Sarah, we’ve known each other for ten years.” “So?” “So…” He looked up, his eyes showing a weariness of someone giving up. “So I can’t lie to you anymore, and I can’t lie to myself either.” The AC in the room was turned up too high, I felt cold. “Explain clearly.” Ethan took a deep breath: “My feelings for you have always been gratitude. During the hardest times of the company, you were the one who stayed with me. Those proposals, those clients… without you, there would be no Ethan Sterling today.” His fingers unconsciously rubbed the ring on his ring finger. “But gratitude is not love.” I heard my own voice, remarkably calm: “Is this your reason for cheating on me? Love is love, not love is not love, but what was the meaning of pulling this stunt at the wedding? Do you enjoy seeing me make a fool of myself?” He didn’t answer immediately. But sometimes, silence itself is an answer. He finally said it: “All these years, the person I really wanted to marry has always been Chloe.” “When did it start?” Ethan looked away: “Three years ago. That time you went on a business trip to Seattle to follow up on a project, I drank too much, and she came to take care of me… we haven’t stopped since then.” Three years ago. I calculated the time. That was when I landed his first ten-million-dollar order for him. I stayed up for four days and three nights in Seattle. On the phone, he said “You’ve worked hard, honey,” and then turned around and got into my sister’s bed. How ridiculous. “Did you know she was going to confess her love to you at the wedding?” “It was Chloe’s idea.” Ethan’s voice grew lower and lower. “She said… this would force you to let go, that you wouldn’t be able to stand the public opinion and would take the initiative to cancel the wedding.” “If you wanted to marry her, why didn’t you just tell me directly?” He smiled bitterly: “I didn’t dare. Sarah, you are too dominant. Half of the company’s shares are in your name, and the core team only listens to you. If I took the initiative to break up, I would have nothing.” I nodded. So that’s how it is. Not love, but calculation. Not impulse, but weighing the options. Ethan stood up: “I can compensate you. I can give up the shares, and the company too…” “Ethan.” I interrupted, reaching out my hand to him: “Give me back the wedding ring.” He subconsciously protected his finger: “Sarah, we can still…” “Give it back.” After a few seconds of standoff, he slowly took off the ring and placed it in my palm. After getting the ring, I flushed it down the toilet without hesitation. As I left, I heard Ethan’s voice. “I don’t love you anymore, I love Chloe.” He seemed to be convincing himself. I didn’t look back. The moment I opened the door, I saw Chloe leaning against the wall in the hallway. She was holding up her phone, the screen facing me. It wasn’t a photo or a chat record on the screen. It was an editing interface of a forum backend. The title bar of the post read: [Spilling the tea on my sister’s “debt-repayment” wedding] Poster ID: Rippling_Chloe. She looked up, waved the phone at me, and a sickly sweet smile curled at the corners of her mouth. 3 Even though these things happened, there were no ripples in my heart. The next day, I got up as usual and went to work under the strange gazes of my subordinates. While working, I thought about why Ethan and I had come to this point today. When driving home in the evening, my fingers gripped the steering wheel tightly, my nails sinking into the leather cover. The lights were on in the living room. My mom was sitting on the sofa. My dad was standing by the window smoking, with three or four cigarette butts already piled up in the ashtray. Seeing me, my mom stood up, her voice a bit weak: “You’re back, are you hungry? There’s soup in the kitchen…” “Did you guys know everything?” Everyone knew, everyone kept it from me. Why? Just to make Chloe happy? I interrupted her, my voice sounding particularly clear in the quiet living room. My mom’s hand stopped in mid-air, looking a bit embarrassed: “Know what?” “Know about Ethan and Chloe, know what was going to happen at the wedding today. Know that I was kept in the dark like an idiot.” My dad put out his cigarette and turned around: “Sarah, things aren’t what you think.” “Then what are they?” My mom sat back on the sofa, twisting a tissue with her fingers: “Chloe… it hasn’t been easy for her. Her health has been poor since childhood; you know about her heart condition. She’s been bitter these years, and Ethan is sincere towards her…” “And so? So I should yield?” My mom’s voice suddenly rose: “She’s your sister! Can’t you be considerate? The doctor said her emotions can’t be stimulated. After making this scene today, she took two pills as soon as she got home!” I laughed. “Mom, today was my wedding, I was the one humiliated in public, I was the one whose fiancé had an affair with my sister. You’re worried about her taking medicine, but did you worry about how I drove back?” My mom opened her mouth but didn’t speak. My dad walked over: “Sarah, Ethan doesn’t have you in his heart, forcing it is useless. Better to endure a short pain than a long one. Seeing it clearly now is better than getting a divorce after marriage.” “When did you find out?” Silence. “I’m asking, when did you find out!” My dad looked away: “Last year, the pregnancy test report Chloe brought back, the child was Ethan’s.” “She was pregnant?” 4 My mom said softly: “She lost it. She said she didn’t want to affect you guys, so she went and did it secretly by herself. She hemorrhaged after the surgery and almost didn’t make it… Sarah, she sacrificed so much for you, can’t you just let her have this?” I looked at my mom’s face. I took a deep breath: “She knew clearly that Ethan was her brother-in-law, yet she still had an affair with him and even got pregnant with his child. I’m obviously the victim here, but you think I owe her?” My mom grabbed my hand: “It’s not owing, it’s sisterhood. Mom knows you feel wronged, but family always has to be understanding of each other. We will go talk to Ethan about compensation, company shares…” I pulled my hand back. “Where is Chloe now?” “Resting upstairs, don’t go make a fuss with her, she just took her medicine…” I didn’t finish listening, turned around, and went upstairs. Back in my own room, I locked the door. The wedding dress was still thrown by the bed, the veil trampled underfoot. My phone rang. It was an unknown number. I swiped to answer but didn’t speak. Chloe’s voice came through the receiver, carrying a smile: “Sis, did Mom advise you to let me have him?” I held the phone, making no sound. “Guess where Ethan is right now?” She paused. “In my room. He said he didn’t want to go home tonight, afraid you might do something foolish.” She laughed even harder: “Sis, I won again.” The call ended. I sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the completely dark sky outside the window. The phone buzzed again. This time it was a picture message. The sender was still that unknown number. I opened it. The moment the photo loaded, my breathing stopped. Ethan and Chloe, naked and embracing on my marital bed. The “Double Happiness” character on the headboard was still the one I personally pasted yesterday; the red paper cutting was exceptionally glaring in the photo. The bottom right corner of the photo had the timestamp. [2023.10.7 22:47] The night before the wedding. I zoomed in on the photo and saw Chloe’s smiling face facing the camera, and Ethan’s sleeping profile. A line of text was attached below the MMS: [Sis, your bed is quite comfortable.] 5 At dawn, I got up and started packing. I had lived in this room for ten years. The closet was stuffed with odds and ends, which I pulled out one by one. In the bottom storage box, old company documents were piled up. I pulled out the first one, it was the bid for Sterling Tech’s first project. The signature on the cover was Ethan, but when I flipped to the planning attachment on the last page, the handwritten revision notes were in my handwriting. The second one, the third one, the fourth one… I couldn’t help but let out a cold sneer. For the core proposals of all major early projects, I wrote the first drafts. Market analysis, product architecture, even financing speech scripts, they were densely packed with my annotations. But the final submitted versions only had Ethan’s signature. I sat on the floor, spreading the documents out one by one. My phone vibrated beside me, it was Ethan. I answered it. “Sarah, let’s talk, about the company shares…” I interrupted him: “That project at the Southside Tech Park, who wrote the original bidding proposal?” There was silence on the other end of the phone for two seconds. “…You did.” “The first round of financing from Apex Capital, who made the PowerPoint?” “You did, but…” I asked: “But what? But all the credit went to you?” Ethan sighed: “The company was just starting out then, we needed someone to be the face of it. You are the unsung hero, I’ve always remembered that.” “And your way of remembering is by cheating on me?” “Sarah, matters of the heart can’t be forced.” “So you repay me in this way?” He didn’t speak. I hung up the phone and continued to rummage through the boxes. There was an old cell phone in the corner. I plugged in the charger to try it, and the screen actually lit up. The power-on password was my birthday. The photo album was empty, and there was only one text in the inbox. Sender: Chloe. [Ethan, Sis helped you so much, how can you repay the debt if you don’t marry her?] [I know you only have me in your heart, but let’s be realistic. Use her power to build up the company first, we can talk about the future later.] [Anyway, she loves you so much, she’ll believe whatever you say.] I stared at those few lines of text, my fingers ice cold.

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