Category: English

The scholarship student I had been sponsoring for years stormed into my birthday party, waving a pregnancy test like a weapon. “Ava is pregnant with my child! You better be smart about this and divorce her right now!” I stared at him, bewildered, pointing a trembling finger at the test result. “Are you sure… Ava Rhodes is pregnant with your child?” Caleb Hunt smirked, proudly twirling the paper in his hand. “Of course. We conceived this baby on our cruise last month!” Caleb’s words sent shockwaves through the room. My guests gasped in unison. Because my ex-wife, Ava Rhodes, died three years ago. 1 I looked at Caleb blankly, needing to confirm what I just heard. “Do you really know who Ava Rhodes is?” Caleb gripped the pregnancy test, his expression arrogant. “Julian Thorne, cut the crap. Divorce Ava immediately and vacate the position of her husband.” “Otherwise, you’re just going to embarrass yourself further.” The Caleb standing before me now wore an expensive Italian suit, his hair styled perfectly. He was unrecognizable from the scrawny, timid boy I met eight years ago—the boy wearing clothes scavenged from a dumpster. Although I was annoyed by his provocative tone, I still held onto a sliver of hope for him. “Caleb, stop joking. It’s my birthday. Have a piece of cake.” Caleb shoved the slice I offered him away, slamming his hand onto the table. “To hell with your cake! Are you divorcing her or not?” “If you don’t, don’t blame me for taking other measures.” His long finger nearly poked my eye. My girlfriend, Sophia, immediately pulled me back, her voice sharp. “Don’t touch Julian!” Seeing everyone staring and whispering, I felt the humiliation burn. As the host of this party, this was a disaster. “Caleb, if you keep making a scene, I’m cutting off the funding for you and your family tomorrow.” When I decided to sponsor Caleb years ago, he was in rags, dirt under his nails, and I swear I saw a roach crawl out of his hair. Hearing that both his parents were paralyzed and he was raising his little brother while scavenging for scraps and studying, I was moved. “Caleb, I will pay for your college tuition. I’ll also help your family improve their living conditions.” From then on, I transferred $3,000 to him every month like clockwork. On holidays, I sent extra bonuses and gifts. But this boy, who had received my immense kindness, now looked at me with a sneer. “You think I care about your little sponsorship?” He leaned in, patting my cheek condescendingly. “Get this straight. I got my sister pregnant.” He showed off his designer loafers and flashed the diamond watch on his wrist. “Ava said once she gives birth to our son, she’ll not only buy me a mansion but also bring my whole family to live in luxury.” “You keep your stingy three grand a month. Save it to buy yourself a grave!” He scoffed, then grabbed a bottle of wine and smashed it onto my four-tier birthday cake. The masterpiece my friends had custom-ordered was ruined in an instant. 2 Caleb’s outrageous behavior caused an uproar. “You ungrateful brat! You’re trying to steal your benefactor’s wife? Have you no shame?” “Biting the hand that feeds you… I despise people like you!” But my friends’ accusations only earned an eye-roll from him. “You all think Julian Thorne is some saint? You’ve all been duped.” Caleb looked righteous, as if he were exposing a massive conspiracy. “Julian is just using Ava’s money to build his own reputation. He hasn’t spent a dime of his own money, but he takes all the credit!” “He wants to package himself as a good guy to morally blackmail Ava so she can’t divorce him.” Caleb’s voice rose with emotion. He looked indignant, as if seeking justice for Ava. “Ava has to pay to support him, pay for his charity work, and in the end, he won’t even give her a child.” “He is the most vicious, immoral person here. Everything I’m doing is to rescue Ava!” Caleb had successfully painted himself as a hero in his own mind. But the crowd wasn’t buying it. “Are you insane? Spouting nonsense and wrecking a marriage… being a homewrecker…” Caleb was visibly triggered. He grabbed a bowl and hurled it at the person who spoke. “Homewrecker? I am repaying a debt of gratitude!” “Once I found out Ava was my true benefactor, I used my young, strong body to repay her.” Everyone was stunned by his shamelessness. Before I could explain, Caleb noticed Sophia, who was still holding onto me. His eyes lit up, as if he’d found the smoking gun. “Well, well, Julian. Not only do you use Ava’s money to look good, you use it to keep a mistress.” Sophia frowned, displeased. “Show some respect. I am Julian’s official girlfriend.” Caleb scoffed. He pointed at Sophia mockingly. “Julian is an impotent old man. How could he land a young, pretty girl like you?” “Stop pretending. You’re just his sugar baby!” Caleb gleefully pulled out his phone and started snapping photos of us. “If you don’t divorce her willingly, I’ll blow up your affair. You’ll leave the marriage with nothing and owe Ava money!” I looked at my ruined birthday party and sighed. Maybe the academic pressure had finally cracked Caleb’s mind. I didn’t argue. Instead, I patted his shoulder calmly. “Caleb, calm down and listen to me.” “You’re mistaken. I have always been your sponsor. Every cent you received came from me.” I exchanged a wry smile with Sophia. “Because the Ava Rhodes you’re talking about… died in an avalanche three years ago. I was there…” 3 Caleb didn’t let me finish. He jumped up, screaming. “Julian, are you crazy?! Spreading rumors that your wife is dead? Do you have no conscience?” I had hesitated to get physical because I watched this kid grow up. But he was trashing my party, screaming and dancing around. Even Sophia couldn’t take it anymore. She gripped my arm, warning Caleb. “Get out, or I’m calling security.” Caleb turned his sneer on Sophia. “Julian, you’re so brazen with your mistress. You’re done!” “I’ll have the Rhodes family kick you out tomorrow!” At this point, I felt a mix of certainty that he was insane and a sliver of pity. Whoever’s pregnancy test he was holding, I felt obligated to show him reality. “Since you insist, why don’t you come with me to see Ava? Then you’ll know I’m not lying.” Caleb followed me, still bragging. “Hmph, wait until you see Ava. You’ll see how much she loves me!” I looked at him with pity and asked Sophia to arrange the cars. Soon, two luxury sedans pulled up to the hotel entrance. Many guests, driven by curiosity, followed us in their own cars. When we stopped, the driver opened the door for Caleb. Caleb took off his sunglasses and started yelling. “Julian! Why did you bring me to a cemetery? What are you trying to do?” “Don’t panic. Just follow me.” I guided Caleb forward a few steps and stopped in front of a headstone. “Take a good look. Whose grave is this?” Caleb glanced at the name on the stone and laughed loudly. “Julian, I admit you’re committed to the bit. Faking a grave to avoid divorce?” “But let me tell you, it’s useless.” “No matter how much you lie about Ava being dead, you can’t deny she’s the mother of my child.” Caleb seemed to lose patience, issuing his final ultimatum. “If you initiate the divorce now, I can ask Ava to leave you a few grand.” “Keep this up, and you’ll end up miserable.” Even my typically calm girlfriend laughed in disbelief. She pulled out her phone, turned on the flashlight, and shone it on the tombstone. “Caleb, look closely at the photo. Is this the woman you spent Valentine’s Day with?” Caleb stared at the photo on the granite. After a few seconds of silence, he pointed an accusing finger at me. “Julian Thorne, you are heartless.” “To put on a show, you even printed your wife’s photo on a tombstone!” He refused to give up, continuing his tantrum in the quiet cemetery. 4 My friends couldn’t take it anymore. “Kid, are you psychotic? Julian’s wife really died three years ago.” “Look up the avalanche accident at the ski resort three years ago. One fatality.” Seeing Caleb’s mix of shock and anger, I started to suspect he was being scammed. “Does the Ava you know love skiing?” Caleb nodded suspiciously. “Of course. She taught me everything I know about skiing.” I told him seriously: “Three years ago, she went skiing abroad. There was extreme weather and an avalanche.” “She was buried. Rescue teams searched for a week but never found her body. They concluded she was swept off a cliff. No survivors.” I pulled out my phone and showed him photos of the funeral. Ava’s parents were prominent in the pictures. “Her parents accepted it. They chose this plot and headstone themselves.” “Her legal status is deceased. So I think you’ve been scammed. The Ava having your baby cannot be her.” Caleb’s expression shifted from confusion to shock, then to anger as people started snickering. “Julian, stop lying! I just texted Ava in the car. She’s coming right now to divorce you!” Sophia had lost all patience. She pulled my hand. “He’s a lunatic. Let’s go back and finish your birthday.” Caleb was filming us, threatening to expose my “affair.” Just as we turned to leave, Caleb jumped up and waved frantically toward the cemetery entrance. “Ava! You came! I knew you’d come help me!” Everyone turned to look. A woman was running toward us. But when she saw me, she froze. After a pause, she rushed forward and hugged me tight. “Hubby! It’s not what Caleb says! Let me explain!”

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The boy I grew up with, the one who was supposed to be my childhood sweetheart, was nice to every girl in our orbit. Except me. We were playing a round of ‘Never Have I Ever,’ and when one of the other girls giggled and simply smiled at him, he immediately jumped in as her “Black Knight,” downing her drink for her. Then he pointed at me. “Croft, ten laps around the field, or down this shot. Your choice.” When someone started to intervene, he stopped them with a hard stare. “Laney’s got two legs, two hands. She can manage a dare, can’t she?” The time he designed the custom spirit wear for the whole junior class for Field Day—he made a shirt for everyone but me. He just snickered. “The princess doesn’t need to slum it with the rest of us in this trash, does she?” But the one time I actually wore a different top to school, a simple, non-uniform sweatshirt, he crumpled the water bottle in his hand, his eyes burning. “Are you two seriously wearing matching clothes, you little—” 1. Our class had forty-nine students, but the box of custom Field Day hoodies only held forty-eight. The class representative for the Spirit Week committee was supposed to handle the order, but Lachlan Wilder—Lock—had taken over. He stood at the front of the room, slapping his hand down on the podium. The whole class snapped to attention. “Alright, Field Day is next week,” he announced, his voice carrying the easy confidence that made him the unofficial King of our high school. “The school is making us all wear matching gear for the opening rally. My dad knows some hot-shot designers. I took care of the whole thing. What do you guys think?” The initial silence broke into a flurry of cheers. Everyone knew he had the connections and the money to get something genuinely cool, not the usual cheap merch. Lock lifted his gaze, lazily skimming the room until his eyes caught mine. My pen froze above the margin of my notebook, and a cold dread settled in my gut. Lock had changed since middle school. The kid who used to cry if I went anywhere without him, the one who needed to hold my hand in the hallway, had become an expert in subtle cruelty. It started with the teasing. When anyone showed interest in me, he made sure to broadcast it to the entire school, turning it into a punchline. His best friend, Zack, would sometimes chime in, “Hey, Laney, heard some sophomore has a crush on you. Can’t have that, can we?” “You’re our Lock’s future wife, after all. What if you get stolen?” Lock would usually just kick Zack’s chair, looking annoyed. “Shut up, man. I’m not interested in soft girls like her.” Yet, I remembered the afternoon when he was seven, pleading with our parents for a “childhood betrothal.” He’d even snuck his mother’s heirloom gold jewelry out of their safe. “Here,” he’d whispered, pressing a small, intricate gold charm into my palm. “Mom says you need a five-piece set to get married. These are the down payment.” He got grounded for a month that night, but the pact, at least in our childish minds, was sealed. His cruelty escalated from verbal jabs. He started “forgetting” my portion whenever he bought the class pizza, or getting the group text for our study sessions wrong, always telling me to show up an hour late. At first, I’d bite my lip, trying to hold back tears. He’d ruffle my hair and murmur in my ear, “Don’t cry, Little Lane. I just thought you needed to rest a little longer.” Once, twice… After a while, I realized it wasn’t forgetfulness. He was deliberately excluding me, deliberately messing with me. My mother, blissfully unaware, would just say, “Laney, he always makes it up to you later, doesn’t he? And no one ever actually says anything mean to you at the meetings, right? He’s just a teenage boy, trying to get your attention, and totally failing at it. He cares about you more than he lets on, sweetie. You should talk to him.” 2. The talk ended with a basketball whizzing past my head, missing by inches. I flinched. His face was flushed—from anger, or heat, I couldn’t tell—and his lips were pressed into a furious line. “Who the hell wants you to look at me, Laney?” he spat. “I have a line of people chasing me. Stop making everything about you. Stop thinking you’re that special. It was a damn mistake. I told you, my memory sucks. You’re the one who’s psychoanalyzing everything because you want to be my wife so bad.” He walked away stiffly, but then spun back, his brow furrowed with rage. “And for the record, Delaney,” he snarled, “I’ve been looking at you for years. I’m sick of looking at you. And I will never like you.” That night, I cried until my eyes were swollen shut. Every promise he made as a boy—I had believed every word. And I was truly, hopelessly in love with him. As schoolwork piled up, I buried those feelings. But now, seeing the class representative counting the spirit wear, she whispered an embarrassed question. “Wait, there’s one missing again?” I sat frozen, unable to grip my pen, and met Lock’s gaze. His eyes held a flicker of cynical amusement. 3. The low murmur of the class suddenly felt amplified. “It has to be Laney’s again.” “Lock seems so cool and collected with everyone else. He helped me to the clinic when I twisted my ankle. Why is he always so awful to Laney?” “Thank God it’s not me. I’d be mortified. The whole class has one but you? I’d spend all night wondering what I did wrong.” The conversations triggered a sharp memory. Just last week, I’d overheard Lock and Zack talking by the gym. Zack had been laughing. “Lock, messing with Laney is hilarious. She’s like a little rabbit when she deals with you. You bully her, and she just looks at you with those big red eyes. Honestly, the look on her face—I swear, it’s kinda hot.” Zack was immediately slammed against the lockers with a heavy kick. “You stay the hell away from her, Zack. She’s my punching bag. Only I get to mess with her.” Someone else pressed the issue. “Why, man? You got a thing for Laney?” “Go to hell! I hate looking at her, that’s why! She’s always hovering, always smiling at you guys. Every time I see it, I just feel this gut-wrenching fury.” “But dude, we’re in the same class.” The second guy was also shoved hard. In an instant, everything clicked into place. This wasn’t the “special attention” my mother had talked about. This was simple, possessive, mean-spirited fun. My blood ran cold. My teeth started to chatter. Cruelty, I realized, always leaves a trail. Lock finished handing out the hoodies and sauntered over to my desk. “Princess can’t possibly wear this garbage, can she?” I looked up at him, and a strange, liberating calm washed over me. I smiled, genuinely. “You’re right. The trash you’re handing out? Trust me, I already threw mine away.” 4. A collective gasp went around the room. Lock’s eyes narrowed, turning a dangerous, bloodshot red. No one dared to speak. The silence was broken only when Briar Jennings, the class beauty from the junior section across the hall, waved from the window, calling Lock’s name. He ignored her but slammed his hand down on the test paper on my desk. “Is that so? Well, that’s a real shame.” “I was actually going to give you the custom one I designed, but you clearly don’t want it.” A few weeks ago, I would have broken down, pleaded with him, and then, when he inevitably slipped me the gift later, I would have burst into tears of relief and forgiveness. But realizing that all those years of devoted love had been ground into nothing more than a nasty game, I felt only a profound emptiness. Nothing he did now mattered. The belated make-up gift, the supposed “special treatment”… My mind was finally clear. His “being different” was simply setting me up, again and again, to be the public target. Besides, one different hoodie in a class of identical ones would only make me stand out more. It wasn’t kindness; it was a cruel spotlight. While we were still locked in a stare-down, Briar Jennings walked right into our classroom, slipped her arm around Lock’s shoulder, and smiled sweetly. “Aren’t you supposed to be taking me to the soccer game? Why are you wasting time here?” Lock was still glaring at me, fire in his eyes. He wrenched free, stormed back to his backpack, and pulled out a light-colored garment wrapped carefully in plastic. He threw it at Briar. His eyes never left mine. “The princess doesn’t want it. It’s yours.” I recognized the designer label. It was the same exclusive, cult-favorite streetwear line that Lock had always gotten me for my birthday before I turned fourteen. That designer had retired three years ago, and rumors said he only came out of retirement if you literally volunteered as his personal assistant for a month. Lock had disappeared for a month over the summer. To say it didn’t hurt would be a lie. “Ooh, a good one. I’ll take it. But, Laney,” Briar said, looking me up and down, “a joke is only funny if you don’t take it seriously.” She tugged on Lock’s sleeve, and he patted her hand with an air of exasperated resignation. Exasperated resignation. If I was even a step too slow, he would get impatient and snap at me. I forced a bitter laugh. He knew how to be gentle. The bell rang, shattering the tension. 5. The crowd of gawkers dispersed. I took a deep breath, gathered my scattered emotions, and went back to my work. I didn’t acknowledge Lock for the rest of the day. When the final bell rang for evening study hall, Lock came over as usual. For years, he’d waited for me to pack up, always reaching out to take my bag. It was a habit from early childhood, an unspoken rule. This time, I batted his hand away. “Don’t bother. I can manage this fine on my own,” I said, my voice cold. “And you won’t need to anymore.” He froze, then his face hardened. My backpack landed on the floor with a thud. “What the hell is that supposed to mean, Laney? You’re cutting me out? Are you seriously that much of a sore loser?” I didn’t know where the line between his “joke” and his true malice was, or how much of his torment was genuine. But none of it mattered. It didn’t justify the pain he caused. Love is love. Unlove is simply that—unlove. Someone gasped. “Woah, Laney is suddenly savage.” I stared at Lock, saying nothing. Spending so much time with him, sharing our commutes, my feelings had taken root. I’d unconsciously suppressed my own personality, my temper, just to keep the peace. There was no need for that now. He wasn’t worth my niceness. I picked up my bag and walked away. Behind me, a chair scraped violently across the floor. 6. The next morning, after the first bell, I pulled a gourmet box of chocolates from my desk and placed it on Lock’s table. “Stop giving me these. I don’t like them.” I was lying. I used to love them. But that was before he changed. Back then, he’d scavenge for the most obscure, delicious things and gift them to me, propping himself on my desk with sparkling eyes, like a puppy waiting for praise and a tail wag. That changed the day Zack gave him a brilliant, cruel idea: hide a dead, slimy garden frog in my favorite box of chocolates. I have a deep-seated phobia of wet, slick creatures. The sticky feeling on my hands that day still made my skin crawl. I’d sat there, paralyzed, a choked scream caught in my throat. That was the first time I recoiled from his touch. And I never ate a chocolate he gave me again. Lock stared at the box, then frowned, his expression turning to annoyed confusion under the scrutiny of the whole class. “You used to love these, Laney. What’s wrong?” I ignored him, walking toward my seat. A sharp, painful grip on my wrist yanked me back to his side. “You tell me, Laney. Say it out loud.” I seized the moment of his confusion, snatched my arm back, and glared at him with cold detachment. “Lock, I don’t need your pathetic apologies anymore, so—” He interrupted, running a hand through his hair and sneering. “Apologies? What the hell are you talking about? Who said I was apologizing? What did I even do wrong?” “Look around, Laney. Everyone has one of these in their desk.” I stiffened, my back rigid, and scanned the room. Sure enough, several people were sheepishly pulling the same boxes from their drawers. Shame, hot and searing, crept from my feet to my fingertips. But in my peripheral vision, I caught the slightest upward twitch at the corner of Lock’s mouth. “I told you before I just forgot to get yours,” he said, his voice laced with false exasperation. “Now I remembered, and I put it carefully in your desk. And you still don’t believe me.” He sighed, shaking his head with forced helplessness. “What do I have to do to make you happy, Laney?” Briar Jennings’s voice cut in from the doorway. “Exactly. Come on, Laney. This time, I can vouch for him. Lock wasn’t messing with you.” 7. They shared a look—a shared joke, a perfect synergy. Lock’s other friends stepped in to smooth things over, but my heart felt colder than ever before. I bit down on my lower lip, preventing the tears from falling. “Lock,” I said, my voice barely a whisper, “is this your new trick? Your latest way to mess with me?”

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My sister, born with a face only a mother could love, was determined to marry the Mayor’s handsome son. To become beautiful, she tried every trick in the book. One day, she brought home two pills, claiming they could transform a girl overnight. She didn’t take them herself. Instead, she crushed them into the dinner she served to me and our little sister. 1 Starved after a day of chores, my little sister, Daisy, devoured her dinner like a wolf. Even though my stomach growled and my mouth watered, I didn’t dare take a bite. I had seen it. I saw my older sister, Martha, bury the crushed pills at the bottom of our bowls. If these pills were so precious, so magical, why give them to us? “Eat up, Claire. Once I marry Caleb Thorne, we’ll all be eating steak and lobster every night,” Martha said, a rare, gentle smile on her face. Daisy looked up, her big, doll-like eyes shining. Her skin was already porcelain white, perfect without any magic. “I want pork chops for every meal!” she chirped. I played along. “Sis, whatever you’re using lately, it’s working. You look amazing. Caleb won’t be able to look away.” Martha grinned so wide I thought her face would split. Caleb Thorne was the Mayor’s son, the only boy in our backwater town who had gone to college in the city. He was handsome, educated, and completely out of our league. To keep him from leaving again, the Mayor announced he was finding Caleb a local wife. The moment he graduated, there would be a wedding. Every girl in town was fluttering with excitement. But none more than my unfortunate-looking sister. Daisy finished her bowl and licked her lips. When Martha turned her back, Daisy looked at my untouched food. “Claire, are you gonna eat that? Can I have it?” I frowned, hesitated, and then dumped my bowl into the pig trough. A spotted black piglet gobbled it up in three bites. The next morning, we found Daisy in the pigpen. Her chest had been torn open. She was dead. Martha said it was a wild boar. Daisy was young, so there was no funeral. Martha wrapped her in a straw mat and buried her in the backyard without a tear. I noticed the spotted piglet was missing, too. At the same time, a bag of red powder appeared in Martha’s room. Every day, she mixed it with water into a thick, blood-like paste and smeared it on her face. She told me it was a new, high-end facial mask from the city. 2 Every night, Martha painted her face with that crimson sludge. And every morning, she looked more beautiful. The pockmarks vanished. Her skin became smooth as glass. Even her small, beady eyes seemed to grow larger and brighter. The town gossips started joking that the Mayor’s son didn’t stand a chance against her. Martha soaked it up, swaying her hips that seemed slimmer every day. “We have to wait for Caleb to come back. The Mayor doesn’t decide everything.” She was stunning now, but there was a catch. She smelled. A faint, metallic stench of raw meat hung around her, no matter how much she scrubbed. It was overpowering when the mask was on, but it lingered even when her face was clean. I also noticed that as the sun went down, her beauty faded. By nightfall, she looked like her old, homely self. That was when she would retreat to her room, mix the powder, and apply it religiously. By sunrise, the beauty returned. The water she used was specific. I had to collect morning dew, boil it, and collect the condensation from the pot lid. Every morning, I stared at my reflection in the bucket—dirty, dark, plain—and wondered. If I used that mask, would I be beautiful too? One day, Martha went to town. I snuck into her room to steal a pinch of the powder, but the bag was empty. She must have gone to buy more. She didn’t return until the next evening, looking uglier than I had ever seen her. That night, I watched her silhouette in the window. She poured something out and began her ritual. I knew that by morning, the beauty would be back. I woke up early to collect the dew. As I opened the door, I nearly ran into our neighbor, Mrs. Gable. She looked frantic. “Claire, have you seen my Lana? She hasn’t been home in two days.” Lana? She was the prettiest girl in town, Martha’s childhood friend. She was missing? 3 Caleb Thorne came home. At first, he refused to even consider a local girl. But the moment he saw Martha, he froze. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” He couldn’t stop complimenting her scent. I thought she must have drowned herself in perfume, but when I got close, I nearly gagged. It was the same rotting, metallic stench. Martha got her wish. They were engaged. The day before the engagement party, Martha brought home a massive wooden tub. She dumped half a bag of the red powder into it. I had to stir it with a broom handle for an hour to mix it. It looked like a tub of coagulated blood. Martha soaked in it for hours. When she emerged, she was otherworldly. Her skin seemed to glow with a faint red light. She walked on her tiptoes, like a ballerina, wrapped in a towel, heading to her room. I followed like a servant, carrying her clothes. As we passed the kitchen, the glass terrarium by the stove started shaking. Inside, a small white snake was thrashing wildly, hissing and striking the glass. Caleb had given it to her. He said exotic pets were trendy in the city. I shrunk back. My woodshed was full of garden snakes in the summer; I didn’t see the appeal of keeping one in a box. Martha leaned down, tapping the glass with a blood-red fingernail. “You think I’m beautiful too, don’t you?” The snake went berserk, throwing its body against the glass all night. Around midnight, Martha stormed into the woodshed. “Take that thing out of here! It’s too loud!” “But Caleb said it needs heat. The box is plugged in. There’s no outlet in the shed…” “I don’t care! The whole town is coming tomorrow. If I don’t sleep, I won’t be beautiful!” She glared at me. “But an ugly thing like you wouldn’t understand.” I dragged the heavy box into the shed. The snake thrashed whenever Martha was near, but calmed down once we were away from her. I stayed awake all night, hugging the glass box to keep the snake warm with my body heat. I was woken up by noise. Mom was back from her job in the city. She was strutting around like a peacock, clinging to Martha’s arm, bragging to the neighbors about her gorgeous daughter marrying into the Thorne family. I watched through the cracks in the shed wall, feeling a hollow ache in my chest. When Daisy died, Mom didn’t even come home for the burial. Now she was beaming like she had never lost a child. The yard was full of food. For once, I got to sit at a table and eat my fill. After the guests left, I snuck a piece of pork knuckle and went to the backyard. Daisy had said she wanted pork chops. When I got to Daisy’s grave, I froze. There was a fresh mound of earth right next to it. 4 The wedding was set for a month later. On the night of the engagement party, Martha didn’t come home. The next morning, I heard her crying in the yard, telling Caleb he had to take responsibility and move up the wedding date. Lately, whenever I brought firewood into the house, the smell of blood was overpowering. The cold weather came early. By September, we could see our breath. Martha was afraid the snake would freeze, so she made me bring it back inside. The moment I stepped into the house, the snake went insane. It arched its back, striking the glass, its patterns swirling dizzyingly. My hands shook. I plugged it in and ran back to the shed. That night, I heard Martha and Mom arguing. “Who told you to use my mask?! I need it for forty-nine days!” “It’s just one day short!” Mom hissed. “I need to look good too. The Mayor has been a widower for years. If we snag both of them, we’re set for life!” “I know more about this than you! The first thirty days are critical!” I didn’t understand. What were they talking about? Curiosity pulled me out of bed. I crept to the main house window. The door was locked. I pressed one eye to a crack in the wood. I gasped. The white snake was dead. It had bashed its head open against the glass. The tank was smeared with blood. Inside, Martha was sobbing. “Don’t worry,” Mom said soothingly. “We still have Claire.” 5 The next morning, I brought the dew water. The door was still locked. “Sister, I have the water.” The door flew open, knocking me back. Martha’s head was wrapped completely in scarves, showing only her eyes. Her eyes… they were cloudy, like an old woman’s. The skin around them was sagging and wrinkled. “The mask is gone! What good is the water?!” “Why are you so ugly?! Useless trash!” She kicked over the bucket and started beating me. I curled up, protecting my head. After she stormed back inside, the wind carried her scent to me. It was the smell of a butcher shop. I gagged. “Hello?” A strange, accented voice came from the gate. I turned. A woman stood there. She looked foreign, but her English was perfect. “I am Serena. I practice the old ways. I sensed a strange energy in this house.” “I think you need help.” Martha ran out, desperate. She begged Serena for a reading. Serena frowned, sniffing the air. She stared at Martha with suspicion. “I will return at midnight.” She came back that night. She laid out a cloth with letters on it—a spirit board. She held a dagger over it, chanting. Her hand moved on its own, spelling out words I couldn’t read. She did this three times. Each time, blood seeped from her fingertips. She clutched her chest in pain. Finally, she looked up, pale. “Someone is looking for something lost.” “Did a dead person leave something here?” Martha and Mom shook their heads frantically. Serena narrowed her eyes. She pulled a small tin from her bag and handed it to Martha. “Use this. It might help your face.” Martha grabbed it, hiding her covered face. She hadn’t shown her skin all day. How did Serena know? 6 Martha ran inside to apply the balm. I stood there, watching Serena pack up. A minute later, Martha ran out, ecstatic. “You’re a goddess! It works! Do you have more?” Her scarves were gone. Her face was beautiful again. Her eyes were bright and youthful. Serena ignored her. She stared at the corner of the yard. “How did the snake die?” It was pitch black. How did she see the dead snake in the shadows? Mom scoffed. “My son-in-law gave it to her. Dumb thing just bashed its head in last night.” Serena looked from Mom to Martha, then to me. “Just two daughters?” “Yeah. The youngest one got eaten by a wild boar a while back,” Mom said casually. “A child spirit. Taken too soon.” “You should perform a rite for her if you can.” Martha and Mom rolled their eyes. Seeing Serena wasn’t going to give them more balm, they turned and went inside. Serena watched them go, smiling faintly. Then she turned to me. “I summoned a vengeful spirit just now.” “It won’t stop until it finds what it lost.” 7 “Tonight, no matter what happens, do not make a sound.” That was the last thing Serena said to me. Two days until the wedding. The Mayor sent over gifts. The house was festive. Even I got a new dress. But I couldn’t smile. Serena’s warning echoed in my head. Night came. Mom and Martha went to sleep early. I lay in the shed, wide awake. Creak. The shed door opened. I tried to sit up, but I couldn’t move. Sleep paralysis? A cold wind blew in. Someone sat down next to me and started to weep. Drip. A cold drop landed on my eyelid. A wave of overwhelming sadness washed over me, drowning out my fear. I forced my eyes open. It was her! The scream rose in my throat. No matter what happens, do not make a sound. I swallowed the scream. “Are you okay?” she asked. I couldn’t move my head. I could only stare at her, tears streaming down my face. Her eyes couldn’t focus. She stared blankly at me. Drip. Drip. Drip. It wasn’t tears falling from her eyes. It was blood. 8 She raised a hand that looked like a withered branch and closed my eyes. “I’m going to find my things.” Silence. I tried to move, but I was frozen. I couldn’t even hear anymore. What was she looking for? I lay there, stiff as a corpse, until dawn. “MOM!” Martha’s scream broke the spell. I could move. Nothing was missing from the house. But Mom was dead. She was staring at the ceiling, eyes bulging. Her face was purple. Her hands were rigid claws, one of them digging into her own throat. The wedding was tomorrow. The Mayor came and shook his head. “We have to cancel.” “No!” Martha screamed. “Mom’s dying wish was to see me marry Caleb!” Caleb arrived. He looked possessed. He insisted the wedding happen or he would leave the country forever. The house was chaos. The wedding prep continued around a corpse. I helped the local women clean Mom’s body. When we took off her shirt, everyone gasped. There was a purple handprint on her chest. “It’s Daisy,” one woman whispered. “She’s come back.” “They say she died getting her heart torn out.” But they didn’t notice one thing. The handprint was adult-sized.

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My water broke early. I immediately called Jason. Ten minutes later, he rushed back from the company in a hurry, carefully helping me into the car. Looking at the man busy running around in front of me, I suddenly understood the meaning of marriage. But on the way to the hospital, I touched a used condom in the inner handle of the car door… Chapter 1 Only half a month left until the due date, I planned to stay at home and wait for delivery with peace of mind. Slept until ten o’clock, Jason had already gone to work. I walked to the kitchen and saw the note he left. “Wifey, eat something when you wake up.” He is always so heartwarming. He took care of me in every possible way when we were dating, and never let me do any housework after marriage. I touched my belly, feeling the little life inside. Soon I will have a crystal of love with the man I love. I was immersed in happiness. Suddenly heard a pop, a stream of heat flowed down below, gushing, couldn’t stop at all. I realized the water broke. Hurriedly called Jason. “Hubby, I… seem to be… giving birth early.” “Baby don’t panic, I’ll drive back immediately to take you to the hospital.” “It’s okay, I’ll be back from the company in ten minutes, you don’t move first.” “I’ll wait for you, don’t hang up, I’m a bit scared and want to hear your voice.” Jason kept talking to me to comfort my emotions. After all, it’s the first time giving birth, these ten minutes of waiting were very torturous. I was shaking all over with nervousness. Originally my parents and his parents were coming from our hometown today to accompany me through the waiting period. Who knew this little guy in my belly couldn’t wait to come to this world. Jason was indeed fast, maybe less than ten minutes he was back. Carried the hospital bag and supported me downstairs. He carefully helped me into the passenger seat, immediately drove towards the hospital. Looking at the man busy running around in front of me, I felt marriage wasn’t bad. After so many years, he and I are still the same as when we were dating. This is the meaning of marriage. I always feel marriage is beautiful, those unhappy people are because they didn’t marry the person they love. Getting in the car, Jason padded my hips high to prevent more amniotic fluid from flowing. My hand kept grabbing the inner handle of the car door. When the car started moving, I felt a sticky sensation on my hand. I brought that hand close to my nose to smell, a faint fishy smell. I lifted it up apprehensively, result found it was a condom! And a used one. My breathing stopped instantly. In those dozen seconds of stagnation, I didn’t know what was going through my head. I simply dared not think. Clearly… he and I are about to have a child. Soon we will be a happy family of three. I only felt a sense of suffocation rushing over my face. Looking at this man in front of me, I couldn’t speak for a moment. I don’t believe Jason would do anything sorry to me. But that condom couldn’t belong to anyone else. No one is bored enough to run into someone else’s car to have car sex. Chapter 2 “Baby, what’s wrong?” “Stomach ache? Why looking at me without speaking?” Seeing my strange expression, Jason hurriedly asked. I pointed to the side: “Your phone rang?” It was his boss calling. “Where did you run off to? Meeting is about to start, you playing missing with me now?” “You are at the critical moment of promotion now, if you don’t seize this time, you have to wait several more years.” On the other end of the phone was an overwhelming scolding. “Sorry, my wife is giving birth, I have to send her to the hospital immediately.” “Nothing is more important than her right now.” If it were a few minutes ago, I would definitely be moved to tears. Because I am such an emotional person, so I would magnify his goodness to me. But didn’t know our relationship had quietly deteriorated long ago. He can not love me, but no need to cheat during pregnancy. I remembered what Chloe told me. “Marriage is rotten.” “There is no man who doesn’t cheat, just like there is no cat who doesn’t steal fish.” Before I would refute her. Jason is not such a person. Jason still didn’t notice the change in my mood. At this time, I had no energy to question him. “What is this?” He definitely won’t admit it. I was lazy to deal with, lazy to listen to his quibbles. Violent emotional fluctuations made me feel the pain starting in my stomach. At this moment, I didn’t know if this child came right or wrong. If I just got pregnant now, I could totally run to the hospital to abort it. I don’t wish for a child to be born into an unhappy family. But now I am about to give birth. I am not that rational, I don’t know what to do now. I am just an ordinary person. Not giving birth now is murder. I suspect he knew this point, so he was so rampant. Didn’t even clean the scene afterwards. Chapter 3 Twenty minutes later finally arrived at the hospital. Jason busy up and down registering emergency, handling admission procedures. He accompanied me waiting in the observation room. Contractions came very fast. At first just dull pain, similar to the dull pain of period. But soon the pain intensified, as if someone twisted all my internal organs together. If someone told me earlier giving birth was so painful, I wouldn’t have given birth. He was anxious. “Baby bear it a little, after the baby is born I’ll go get a vasectomy, I can’t bear to let you give birth a second time.” At this moment I couldn’t listen to what he was saying at all. I opened my mouth gasping heavily, grabbing Jason’s arm, nails almost embedded in his flesh. The strength in my hand increased a few degrees. Blood stains were slowly seeping on his white shirt. I still felt not enough to vent anger. Jason’s facial features twisted together in pain, but still endured. “Baby, hold on a while.” I looked at him with very complex eyes. He froze first, then immediately comforted me. “It’s okay, Baby, you and the baby in belly will be safe.” I pinched Jason’s arm hard, trying to relieve my pain. Nurse aside said: “Your husband really loves you, look at his arm pinched by you like what, wishing to give birth for you.” “Before many men, wife giving birth, they still playing games outside.” I asked back: “He painful? Can pain match my pain?” Isn’t it funny? Women bear all risks of childbirth, while men only need to accompany, will be called a good husband. “Doctor if can’t give birth, save the adult.” “I really love love my wife, actually I didn’t want her to have kids at all.” “Just because my wife kept saying wanted to have a crystal of love with me.” His performance personality started again. Medical staff aside speechless: “Long no saying of save adult or child, we will try our best to ensure everyone’s safety.” When contractions were most severe, I couldn’t speak anymore, exhaling inhaling non-stop. Whole process of childbirth, my brain was blank. Moment hearing infant crying, I knew finally ended. Nurse brought child to me: “It’s a girl, 6 pounds 4 ounces.” I looked at her little face, heart softened into a mess. Before that moment all pain, worth it. Next should be keep the child, ditch the father. Chapter 4 Whole process went quite smooth, from water breaking to delivery only took six hours. Didn’t suffer too much. I thought probably God pitied me discovering husband cheating on the day of delivery. Jason looked at me with distressed face, holding my hand said: “Baby, you worked hard, if only I could give birth for you.” Saying he squeezed out a few tears. Nurse said: “You couple have such good relationship, no wonder baby born so pretty too.” I looked at Jason, have to say he looks indeed good, three-dimensional features plus fair skin, especially those big eyes. Otherwise back then I wouldn’t have loved him to death, insisting on marrying him. Daughter’s eyes exactly like him, appearance value definitely high when grown up. After birth I didn’t say a word to him. He thought I was too tired, didn’t want to talk. Jason wanted to take daughter from my hands. I turned sideways refusing him. He froze on spot, didn’t understand why I had this reaction. But soon face restored gentle smile. “Baby, you worked hard today, rest well.” I am waiting. Waiting for his parents and my parents to come, then tear off his hypocritical mask. I closed eyes wanting to rest. But brain too messy, couldn’t sleep at all.

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Three years after taking the fall for my ex-husband and going to prison, I bumped into him downstairs at his company. He was the high-and-mighty CEO Lucas Sterling, here to celebrate the grand opening of his fiancée Selena’s company. And I was nothing but a janitor here. Because I was distracted, water from my rag dripped onto a bouquet of flowers. “You smelly janitor, do you want to die? Do you know this is my gift for Miss Selena!” I was kicked into the sea of flowers by a man, face and hands covered in thorns. Lucas’s childhood friend beside him looked at me with excitement, “Yo, isn’t this the formerly arrogant Miss Sarah?” “What Miss Sarah, she is just a villain who stole Selena’s identity. Didn’t expect her to get out of prison so soon.” Hearing Lucas’s silence, the man who kicked me spoke immediately. “Hey, ex-con, get on your knees and kowtow three times to me, and I won’t make you pay.” I knelt down without hesitation. Amidst the laughter around, Lucas walked over. “Sarah, pretending to be pitiful now, do you want to ruin Selena’s opening ceremony? Why didn’t you stay in prison for a lifetime?” Ignoring his probing gaze, I continued to kowtow fawningly. Can’t pay money. Every penny is my child’s life-saving money. Chapter 1 Surroundings were dead silent, everyone looking down at my ugly state from high above. After the last kowtow, I spoke carefully. “Sir, is this okay?” The man didn’t answer, turned to look at Lucas. Seeing Lucas frowning, he unhesitatingly ground his shoe sole on my hand. “They say kowtowing should make a sound, I didn’t seem to hear it.” Drilling pain came from my hand, those rose thorns completely pierced into the flesh because of the man’s force. I endured the pain, nodding in panic. “Okay sir, I’ll do it again, please forgive me.” With my movement, a patch of blood appeared on the ground. But as if I couldn’t feel pain, I kowtowed crazily, daring not stop at all. “Enough! Don’t use your dirty blood to stain Selena’s turf!” Lucas pulled me up violently, eyes terrifyingly gloomy. Looking at the pool of blood on the ground, I squatted down quickly wiping carefully with my sleeve. “Mr. Sterling, I will clean it up, don’t drive me away, I beg you.” Hearing the address “Mr. Sterling”, Lucas obviously froze for a moment. We grew up together, what he heard most was “Lucas” or “Luke”. This is the first time I called him with such a distant title. “What is everyone doing? Why haven’t you come upstairs to find me yet.” As soon as Selena’s voice appeared, everyone looked over. Lucas’s eyes became doting. I dared not look more, burying my head continuing to clean the blood stains on the ground. “Isn’t this Sister? How can you let her kneel here cleaning!” Selena pulled my hand with concern, then pushed me away abruptly. “Hiss, Sister, why are your hands so rough, scratched me painful.” I hid those chapped hands behind my back, squeezed out a smile. “Miss Selena is joking, I am just a janitor, how can I bear your ‘Sister’.” Looking up I saw Lucas checking Selena’s hand repeatedly with worry, only relieved finding no problem. “Sarah, no matter what purpose you have coming here? Get out immediately!” “No, Mr. Sterling, you promised to let me go just now.” After getting out of prison, decent companies didn’t want me at all. I finally found this janitor job with great difficulty. Daughter was born with heart disease, cannot stop medication. Seeing Lucas ignoring me, I threw myself at the feet of the man who just made me kowtow. “Sir, help me, didn’t you like watching me kowtow? I’ll kowtow for you again okay?” The man kicked me away like seeing something dirty, hiding far away. I looked around helplessly, walked towards Lucas again. “Mr. Sterling, I really won’t hurt Miss Selena, nor hurt anyone, please let me stay okay?” Under my begging, the head janitor squeezed out from the crowd. “Mr. Sterling, Miss Selena, this girl really has no malice, she is a single mom with a child, it’s not easy.” She tried hard to speak good words for me, Selena exclaimed. “Brother Lucas, didn’t sister go to prison? How could a child pop up, wouldn’t be…” She stopped halfway, at this time chill appeared in Lucas’s eyes. Head janitor spoke tremblingly, “Sarah has a hard life, that child of hers…” “Make noise again you get out too!” Lucas looked at the head janitor coldly, she dared not speak again. He walked to me, pinched my chin hard, “Sarah, do you think pretending to be weak like this, I will still believe you?” “Three years ago, you deceived me like this! Then what did you do? Killed my mom?” Lucas’s words exploded in my ear, those memories thought forgotten flooded my heart instantly. Three years ago, I thought an accident required blood transfusion, discovered I wasn’t the Sterling family’s child. Selena was found back, family changed overnight. No matter how Selena slandered and hurt me, they stood unconditionally by Selena’s side. Only Lucas believed me, “The one I want to marry is Sarah, not some Sterling family heiress.” He disobeyed the family, eloped with me. We squeezed in a small rental apartment like this. Although life was bitter, heart was sweet. One day Lucas’s mother found me with Selena, they humiliated me unceremoniously and hit me. Lucas, who just returned from a drinking party, only saw the red marks on my face, didn’t notice who was in front. His strength was too great, plus the rental apartment was in disrepair. Lucas’s mother fell on a broken wire, died before reaching the hospital. Luckily Lucas was drunk, didn’t remember details. He is most filial, definitely can’t accept this fact. So when the Sterling family sued me, Selena and I tacitly said it was my manslaughter. I will never forget in court, Lucas looking at me with that disappointed look. But I had no choice, he rebelled against the Sterling family for me. And accidentally harmed his mother for me, how could I bear to let him bear the crime of matricide. I suppressed the bitterness in my heart, voice trembling. “Mr. Sterling, back then was my fault, I admit it, the law has punished me.” “Please give me this job opportunity okay?” Tears dripped on the back of Lucas’s hand, he let go of me, wiped his hand with paper several times. Selena supported me smilingly, “Sister you don’t need to worry too much, Brother Lucas just thinks janitor doesn’t suit you, how could we ignore you.” She said words of concern, but her hand supporting me pinched my flesh hard. Feeling discomfort, I just struggled slightly. Selena fell back exaggeratedly. Lucas caught Selena steadily, and kicked me conveniently. “Uncle and Auntie were right, you are a lowly person in your bones, only knowing how to frame Selena.” His words were like a knife slicing my heart. Even he won’t believe me anymore. Meeting Lucas’s indifferent eyes, I knew no amount of begging was useless. “Sorry.” I walked out, thinking about how to find the next job. Selena called me again, “Sister, what you are wearing seems to be our company’s uniform.” Voice just fell, many people came up to strip my clothes. Under the clothes except for underwear, I wore nothing. “Miss Selena, I’ll wash it clean at home and return it to you okay?” Selena acted as if she didn’t hear me, turning her head away. My strength alone was too small, stripped clean in a while. Those people saw my exposed skin, retreated in disgust. I hugged myself awkwardly and helplessly, Lucas looked at me in shock, “Sarah, what’s with these scars on your body?” What’s with these scars, shouldn’t he know best? Those people in prison said they received Young Master Sterling’s order to take good care of me. It was also because of inhumane abuse during pregnancy that my daughter was born sick. I harmed my daughter. “Sister, that person just said you have a child, you wouldn’t be playing with others… Do you know you are losing our family’s face like this!” Selena’s accusation made the trace of guilt in Lucas’s eyes disappear without a trace. He looked at me with disgust like people around, and covered Selena’s eyes. “Sarah, didn’t expect you to demean yourself so much, who is that wild man? Doesn’t he care about you?” When released from prison, I didn’t know the height of sky and earth and called Lucas once. That number was disconnected long ago. Looking up at the screen were various sweet wealth videos of Lucas and Selena. Three years in prison, Lucas has changed from an heir to a power holder. And the person beside him became Selena, no longer me. I found a trash bag nearby and put it on myself, tone cold. “The wild man died, are you satisfied?” “I am not the Sterling family heiress, just an orphan, an ex-con, what’s wrong with me wanting to live?” Lucas was obviously angered by my words. But due to face, he said nothing after all. I walked away wearing the trash bag, walking calmly. As soon as I walked to a deserted place, I couldn’t help crying bitterly. The old me didn’t love crying, felt there were no troublesome things in the world. Since Selena the real heiress came back, I seem to become more and more fond of crying. Phone ringtone interrupted my emotions, “Sarah, your daughter’s medical account already owes a lot of money, when will you make it up.” I begged hoarsely, “Can you extend a few more days, my salary is coming soon…” “Hospital can wait, can your daughter wait?” The other party interrupted me fiercely, “Which one coming to hospital doesn’t have difficulties, everyone wants us to understand, then can the hospital still open?” “We have made exceptions for you many times, can’t say making exceptions forever!” Before I could speak, the phone was hung up. At this time a coin was thrown in front of me, “Auntie, are you hungry, take it to buy something to eat.” I took the coin wanting to return it, the little girl’s mother already pulled her far away. “Go quickly, wearing nondescript in broad daylight, maybe a lunatic.” Her voice wasn’t loud, but still entered my ears. I gripped that coin in hand, whispered thank you. Called the head janitor wanting to advance salary, he was full of difficulty. “Sarah ah, your salary was taken to pay for those flowers.” My brain went blank, “What, didn’t they say as long as I kowtow I don’t need to pay? I’m going to find them!” “No, Sarah, don’t you know what kind of people they are? Don’t look for me in the future either, I also have a family old and young.” Phone was ruthlessly hung up again. Dialing back, the other party already blocked me. I leaned against the wall getting up crookedly, went home changed clothes and found the Scalper familiarly. Because sold plasma too many times before, this time he only accepted once. Looking at that thousand dollars in hand, I grabbed his hem. “Big brother, I beg you, draw another bag, just five hundred, five hundred is enough.” No matter how I begged him, he dared not draw anymore. He shook his head, took a doll from a pile of gifts and gave it to me. I hugged the doll and pushed open the door of my daughter’s ward. “Mommy, you came!” Daughter Lily reached out to me sparklingly, I hugged her tightly in my arms. “Mommy, why is your hand injured?” Lily held my hand, blowing on it for me. That depression in my heart vanished instantly, soft as a mess. No matter what, I must protect my daughter well. “Mommy doesn’t hurt, did Baby take medicine well, listen to nurse?” Daughter nodded heavily, “Yes Mommy, I am very obedient, Mommy don’t be too tired too, I’m okay.” Looking at daughter’s sensible look, I tried hard to control my tears. Put the doll in hand beside her, “Then Baby sleep by yourself tonight okay, Mommy’s new job is at night, let it accompany Baby instead of Mommy.” Daughter grabbed my hem reluctantly, finally looked up and planted a kiss on my face. “Then Mommy take care of yourself.” Watching daughter fall asleep, I walked out and dialed the phone. “Hello, I am willing to take the job you mentioned.” Night club is the most profitable place, also the most dangerous place. Before to accompany daughter at night, I didn’t go. Manager shook his head looking at my wounds, “Looking at your photo thought you were a top quality, how come like this, never mind, at least face is viewable.” He let me wear a mask responsible for selling alcohol in private rooms. No base salary, all commission. Just didn’t expect to meet Lucas’s group in the first private room. Private room stuffed with balloons, birthday song playing on loop. Selena clustered in center, like a princess in fairy tale. In Lucas’s gaze, he gave a jade bracelet carved crookedly to Selena. I’ve seen the look of that jade bracelet. Three years ago, Lucas once showed me the design draft.

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The day I died, my roommate was wearing a five-carat engagement ring at my graveside. My death was the culmination of her perfect lie: She’d used my name—Juliet Abbott, heiress to Abbott Pharmaceuticals—to scam an East Coast scion online. She’d sent him her own pictures, all of her perfectly slim, perfectly pretty self. When the scion, Prescott Harrington, discovered the real me was a woman nearly one hundred pounds overweight, his fury was absolute. He didn’t just break up with me; he used the full, destructive weight of the Harrington empire to crush my family’s company. My parents, broken by the shame and ruin, took the leap first. I followed them. Stella Davies stood over my fresh grave, her eyes wide and innocent, a diamond so large it looked like a frozen teardrop flashing on her finger. “Jules, Prescott proposed!” she whispered, her voice laced with the sickening sweetness of fake sympathy. “It’s a shame you jumped so soon. That two hundred pounds of yours would have made me look absolutely breathtaking as your maid of honor.” She leaned closer, a satisfied smirk cracking through her false woe. “I only used your name because I felt sorry for you. You were so huge, I figured you were too pathetic to ever land a man like Prescott. Who knew he would be so disgusted when he finally saw you that he’d dismantle the Abbott empire?” “Well, here’s hoping you’re reborn skinny, sweetie.” God must have heard her last spiteful wish, because I was reborn. Now, I have three months. Three months until Prescott Harrington steps off the plane and walks into the life Stella stole. This time, she will learn that stealing a name will cost her everything, including her life. 1 “NO WAY!!!” A shriek, sharp and completely grating, sliced through the evening quiet of our dorm room. The two other girls looked up from their phones, instantly alert. Stella Davies had sprung up on her bed, her face contorted with unbridled joy and a hunger for attention. “Scott, you’re not messing with me, are you?” She threw a deliberately casual glance my way, then hit the speaker button on her phone. The soft, low chuckle of Prescott Harrington—the golden, blue-blood heir to the Harrington fortune—echoed clearly in the tiny space. “Baby, it’s just a car. Why would I tease you?” His voice was rich, effortless, dripping with the kind of money that buys discretion and silence. “I saw it in Monaco and just thought the red was perfect for you.” “I’ll be home in three months. The paperwork will be finalized by then. I’ll drive it right up to your dorm myself.” He hung up. A beat of silence, then the other two roommates erupted in envious squeals. “Stella! Is that really a limited-edition Ferrari?” “Oh my God… you are living the dream!” Stella slid off her bed, weaving through the clutter and coming straight for me. She grabbed my arm and gave it a saccharine shake. “Jules, you have to come with me to meet Scott when he gets here, okay?” she pleaded, batting her eyelashes. “It’s my first time meeting an online boyfriend. I’m so scared of being scammed!” I looked up, my eyes locking on the mask of manufactured innocence on her face. Last life, that exact look had fooled me. My heart had softened. I’d nodded. The price for that single, kind gesture was paid with three coffins. 2 Stella had been transferred into our room at the start of junior year. That was when she was diagnosed with a particularly nasty, rare autoimmune condition. The treatment required long-term, high-dose steroids and supplements. Not only was the medication astronomically expensive, but the side effects were horrific: massive, uncontrolled weight gain, a ballooning face, and a condition known as a “buffalo hump.” Stella’s family couldn’t even afford her next month’s rent, let alone the medicine. When the pain flared up, she would hide in the corner and weep, a fragile, pitiful mess. I felt sorry for her. I went home and begged my parents. Abbott Pharmaceuticals didn’t just cover her tuition and living expenses; we put her on our experimental new drug trial. The drug was potent, effective, and crucially, had virtually zero side effects—no weight gain, no swelling. It hadn’t been officially released yet, but at my insistence, my parents signed off on the ‘compassionate use’ waiver. It was my drug, my access, and my family’s money that saved her life and preserved the one thing Stella truly prized: her beautiful, slender body. 3 My good intentions, however, were food for a viper. Senior year, she secretly used my name to lure Prescott Harrington. She claimed to be Juliet Abbott, the Abbott heiress, while sending him her own flawlessly edited photos. It was exactly today, in my previous life, that she got that call about the car, and it was exactly today that she asked me to meet him with her. I said yes. Three months later. Prescott actually showed up at the campus gates in the red Ferrari. Stella was clutching my arm, quivering with excitement as we walked up. But when Prescott smiled and called her name—”Jules”—she played the scared rabbit. She backed away, feigning total confusion, pointing her trembling finger directly at the two-hundred-pound me. “Y-you must have the wrong person? She is Juliet Abbott.” Prescott’s face had instantly gone black. He had assumed I had stolen her photos, that I was the scammer, the liar. In a rage, he’d brought down the full weight of his family’s influence on the Abbott name. After my family’s final, desperate act, Stella had appeared before a devastated Prescott, tears streaming down her perfect face, ready to deliver her ‘truth.’ “Scott, the one you were talking to was me,” she’d sobbed. “I was so insecure. Your family is everything, and I’m just a poor student with nothing. I was terrified you would never look at me, so I did a wicked thing and used Juliet’s name…” “And that day at the gate? I pretended not to know you because I needed to know if you loved me, or if you just loved the Abbott name…” Prescott, heartbroken and moved by her apparent sacrifice, had pulled her into his arms, instantly proposing. “From this day forward, you won’t need to borrow anyone’s name,” he’d vowed. “Because there is no title in this world more revered than Mrs. Prescott Harrington.” It was a beautiful love story. Unfortunately, it was built on the bones of my entire family. 4 “Jules? You’re not saying anything. You don’t want to go with me?” Stella’s voice yanked me back to the present. I pulled my arm free from her grasp, distancing myself from her touch. “No. I don’t.” Her expression immediately curdled. She leaned in, her voice dropping to a low, silken-soft whisper only I could hear. The knife-twist of her malice was unmistakable. “Jealous?” She smiled with a vicious sweetness. “Jealous that I snagged Prescott Harrington? Jealous that he casually buys me a Ferrari, while you, the great Abbott heiress, can’t even get a date?” “You must have loved throwing money at me and watching me grovel, right?” Her eyes were cold, spiteful. “Well, look who’s on top now. Juliet Abbott, I hope that pathetic little superiority complex of yours is completely shattered.” “Are you finished?” I asked. My tone was so flat it stopped her mid-sentence. Before she could form a reply, I pulled out my phone and dialed the house number. “Mr. Harris,” I said calmly when my family’s butler answered. “Immediately cease all funding and all aid to Stella Davies.” “Including her monthly medication supply.” Mr. Harris’s even voice came through the speaker. “Miss Abbott, is that effective immediately? Miss Davies’s next supply was scheduled for tomorrow.” “Immediately,” I confirmed, watching the blood drain from Stella’s face. My voice was ice. “From this moment forward, the Abbott family will not spend a single cent on her. She will not receive a single pill.” 5 A dead silence descended upon the room. The other two roommates shifted uncomfortably, glancing between a placid me and a ghost-white Stella. Stella managed to tear a brittle, scoffing laugh from her throat. “Fine! Stop the funding! Who cares?” she chirped, though her hands were shaking. “Your family’s experimental crap? Who knows what’s in it! Maybe you were just using me as a guinea pig! I was going to stop taking it anyway!” She tossed her head back in defiance. “Wait until my fiancé gets back. I’ll be able to afford the best medicine in the world!” I put my phone away. My expression remained impassive. “Go ahead. You wait for him.” Stella had no idea what awaited her once she was forced onto the generic, commercial-grade steroids—the drugs that would replace the bespoke medication the Abbott family had been providing. Moon face, buffalo hump, central obesity, dark purple striae across the skin… The beautiful face and slender body she had mortgaged her soul to protect. It would all disintegrate. Bloat. Corrupt. I was waiting, too. Waiting for three months to pass. Waiting to see the expression on Prescott Harrington’s face when he saw the woman who claimed to be his “perfect vision”—transformed into a desperate, monstrous thing. The scene would be delicious. 6 I didn’t spare Stella’s trembling, defiant mask a second look. I simply turned and began packing my bags. “You’re moving out?” one of the other girls whispered. “Yes,” I replied, stuffing heavy books on Integrative Medicine into my suitcase. “I need space to focus.” I needed an environment free of distraction. I had a plan to execute—the one Stella’s malice had cut short in the last life. My major was in holistic and integrative medicine, specializing in metabolism and weight management. Many people found it hilarious. A two-hundred-pound woman studying weight loss? What they didn’t know was that this weight was self-inflicted. Early in freshman year, combining an ancient family formula with modern pharmacology, I had successfully refined a pure herbal weight-loss remedy. It was effective, fast, and virtually side-effect free. My father was thrilled, wanting to launch an entirely new product line under Abbott. But the old guard on the board had sneered. “A cocktail put together by a green kid? And you claim ‘no side effects’?” “Miss Abbott, you have no credentials. Who would believe you?” “Want to prove it? Fine. Take it yourself first!” Their arrogance had accidentally given me the perfect idea. With my father’s quiet support, I began a long-term ‘self-experiment.’ Over two years, using specific diets and drug assistance, I had intentionally gained a hundred pounds. Last life, I was just days away from starting a live-streamed regimen—a public record of my entire weight-loss process—when Stella had pulled me toward Prescott Harrington. The whole plan, along with my life, had been reduced to ashes. Not this time. I couldn’t wait. I zipped up my suitcase. The girl reflected in the mirror was still large and swollen, but the smoldering fire that had been dormant for two lifetimes was finally alight in my eyes. More than one person had told me, before I gained the weight, that I had the kind of face that could stop a man’s heart. This time, I will claim that dazzling life that was supposed to be mine, and I will take back everything they owe me. 7 The afternoon I moved out of the dorm, I registered a new social media account: “Jules’s 90-Day Miracle.” The three-month timeline—one month of internship and two months of summer break—perfectly aligned with my plan. I never showed my face. The camera focused only on my body below the neck, the scale’s readout, and my daily meals. On Day One, the screen displayed a two-hundred-pound, soft, and shapeless body. My voice was calm. “Hello. Starting today, for the next three months, I will lose exactly one hundred pounds using only a proprietary herbal formula and a sensible diet.” The comments section exploded with mockery. “Trying to go viral, are we? Hundred pounds in three months? Unless you get liposuction, no way.” “I’ll believe that when I believe I’m the Queen of England.” “Another scammer trying to sell supplements.” I ignored the noise, sipping my first cup of the herbal infusion. Day Two. Day Three… Over the ninety days that spanned my internship and the entire summer, I live-streamed twice daily—taking my medicine, revealing my weight, and showing my exact caloric intake. Everything was transparent, open to scrutiny. My weight dropped at a stunning, visible rate. The bloated jawline sharpened, my collarbones emerged from the thick layer of fat, and my waistline appeared clearer every day. My body transformed daily right before the camera. The initial mockery turned into full-blown internet shock. “Holy sh*t! She lost another 1.2 pounds today! What kind of witchcraft is this?” “I’m begging for the formula! I’d sell my ex-boyfriend’s soul for this!” The skeptical old board members at Abbott, who had initially dismissed my idea, started showing up in the live chat, sending huge virtual gifts and calling my father with fawning deference. “Chairman! Miss Abbott’s formula is a miracle drug! We must push it into production now!” The herbal formula’s production line was approved by a unanimous vote. Just before the end of summer, I stepped on the scale for the final time. The digital display showed a number exactly one hundred pounds less than when I started. I posted a short, dramatic before-and-after video. The comments section went insane. “Queen! You are my only Queen! Show us your face, please!” “That transformation… what does her face even look like?” “I’m betting a year’s salary she’s a drop-dead goddess!” 8 On the first day of the new semester, I slipped into a sleek, black spaghetti-strap dress. In the mirror, my hair was pinned up, revealing a face that was clean, unadorned, and arrestingly beautiful. The most impactful feature was my eyes—clear, stark black-and-white, shimmering like cold stars. I put on a disposable surgical mask and walked toward the campus. The September sun was harsh. The campus entrance was packed with returning students and parents. A bright red Ferrari sat glaringly at the curb. Its scissor door was open. Prescott Harrington leaned against the side, sunglasses covering his eyes, his posture radiating casual, untouchable arrogance, commanding every eye. As I was about to navigate the crowd, my phone buzzed. It was Stella. “Jules, where are you?” Her voice was breathless with a nervous, desperate excitement. “At the gate.” “Perfect! Can you just meet Scott for me? I’m going to be half an hour late.” She paused, and the venomous satisfaction in her tone almost spilled out. “I told him you were my roommate. All you have to do is walk up and tell him—” “Tell him your name is Juliet Abbott. That’s it.” I sneered internally. My gaze scanned the agitated crowd, finally settling on a discreet corner of the plaza. A bulky figure in an oversized, dark track suit, wearing a hat and a mask, was hunched over, clutching a phone. There she was. Stella. “No,” I replied, my voice cool and final. In the corner, Stella flew into a silent, desperate panic. “Fine, Juliet Abbott! If you want to play dirty, let’s play dirty!” She furiously dialed another number, her voice shaking with pure malice. “Hello? Are you at the radio station? Good! Now! Broadcast it immediately!” Almost on cue, the high-power campus loudspeaker crackled to life. 9 “ATTENTION! Prescott Harrington at the campus gate, listen up!” “The Juliet Abbott you’re talking to online is a two-hundred-pound FAT PIG! She’s an UGLY, WICKED CREATURE!” “All the photos she sent you are STOLEN from her beautiful roommate! The real girl is a fat, ugly, psycho liar who scams men online!” “Prescott Harrington, you IDIOT! You’ve been fooled by a pig! The whole campus knows what she is!” The crowd instantly erupted. Discussion exploded in a shocked, chaotic wave of noise. Prescott’s expression, previously one of bored hauteur, froze. He ripped off his sunglasses, his eyes—cold, dark, and utterly lethal—sweeping toward the broadcast booth. His jaw was clenched so tight the muscle twitched. The next second, he pulled out his phone. He didn’t raise his voice, but every word he spoke into the mic cut through the chaos, clear and distinct. “Juliet Abbott.” “I’m giving you one chance.” “Now. Get out here.” 10 The phone clicked off. The entire area went dead silent. No one dared to move. Every set of eyes was nervously searching, waiting for Juliet Abbott to emerge. That was my cue. I started walking. I walked directly toward Stella. The crowd instinctively parted, creating a path for me. Prescott’s dark, furious gaze followed me, settling on the hunched, bulky figure in the track suit. His brow furrowed in confusion and disgust. I stopped right in front of Stella. She tried to shrink into the anonymity of the crowd, but I was too fast. I grabbed her wrist. Before she could react, my other hand reached for the black surgical mask covering her face. With a swift, downward motion, I ripped it off— “N-no…!” The moment the mask fell, the air became thick and heavy. A face that was utterly and tragically ruined was exposed to the sunlight. It was bloated like unkneaded dough, squeezing her features into distorted slits. Her skin, a sickening shade of mottled gray and purple from the hormonal damage, was slick with a sweaty, diseased sheen. A collective, horrified gasp rippled through the onlookers. “Dear God… who is that? She’s so swollen…” “She… she looks sick.” “I think that’s Stella Davies from the Integrated Med program…” Stella let out a high-pitched, desperate shriek, trying to cover her face, but my hand easily blocked her attempt. As raw terror flooded her eyes, I reached up with my free hand, hooking my finger around the pristine white mask covering my own features. I gently, delicately, removed it. The midday sun poured down, illuminating my face. Extreme ugliness and profound, devastating beauty were displayed side-by-side in the same, cruel frame. Silence. More absolute than before. I turned my head and looked straight at Prescott Harrington. “Mr. Harrington.” “Which Juliet Abbott were you looking for?”

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At a college reunion, my husband had a last-minute emergency and couldn’t make it, asking me to go in his place. As I pushed open the door to the private room, I walked right into an announcement from an old classmate, Miranda Hayes. “Yes, it’s what you’ve all been thinking! Eason and I got together right after graduation, and we even have an adorable daughter!” Eason. Isn’t that my husband’s name? Before I could voice my confusion, Miranda extended an invitation to all our old classmates. “Next month, on the tenth, Eason and I are having our wedding ceremony. You all have to come!” The room erupted in cheers as everyone congratulated the old sweethearts. I pulled out my phone and double-checked my calendar. Isn’t the tenth of next month the date of my wedding to Eason Forbes? If she’s the bride, then who am I? I immediately called my husband. “I just heard you’ve been secretly married with a daughter. How come I didn’t know?” Eason sounded like he was about to have a panic attack, vehemently denying it. “I’m only married to you! I don’t know anyone else, and I definitely don’t have a daughter. Please, don’t misunderstand!” I hung up with a chillingly calm smile and walked toward the happy mother and daughter. 1 The moment I stepped onto the small stage they had set up, the cheering died. Miranda looked at me, confused. “Ma’am, I think you’re in the wrong room. I’ve never seen you before.” I scanned the fifty or so people in the room. The details matched what Eason had told me. College reunion, room K67, approximately fifty guests. This was the right place. And I was one hundred percent certain that among these fifty people, only my husband was named Eason Forbes. I had heard Miranda’s entire announcement. Now, I needed to confirm what I couldn’t believe. “Hello, my name is Chloe Staton. I’m Eason Forbes’s wife. He couldn’t make it tonight, so I came in his place.” “I just heard you’re also married to an Eason Forbes and have a daughter with him. Is that true?” Miranda’s face went pale. She looked utterly lost. The four-year-old girl beside her glared at me, tugging on her mother’s dress. “Mommy, that lady is scary. When is Daddy coming to pick us up?” Miranda looked down, softly comforting her daughter, before turning back to me, her voice regaining some composure. “Miss Staton, perhaps it’s just a strange coincidence. My fiancé is also named Eason Forbes. He’s the sole heir to the Forbes Corporation, and this is his daughter, our little Gigi.” “We’re having our wedding next month at the Forbes Grand Hotel. I hope you can make it.” She didn’t ask about my identity, instead using her Eason Forbes’s status as a shield. The old classmates, naturally, sided with one of their own. The murmurs started. “Eason and Miranda were each other’s first love. Where did this woman come from? I’ve never seen her on his social media.” “You don’t get it. How many women are chasing after the heir to the Forbes Corporation? She’s probably just another obsessed stalker.” “Poor Miranda. Already married with a child, and she still has to deal with shameless homewreckers like this.” In their narrative, I was the jealous, vindictive shrew. And Miranda was the innocent victim. The absurdity of it almost made me laugh. For a moment, Miranda’s confidence had made me second-guess myself. Maybe I had made a terrible mistake. But the mention of “sole heir to the Forbes Corporation” and “wedding at the Forbes Grand Hotel” erased all doubt. The man she was talking about was my husband, Eason Forbes. If she was the bride getting married at the Forbes Grand Hotel on the tenth of next month, then who was I? “Since we both have our stories,” I said, my voice ringing with newfound clarity, “why don’t we call our respective husbands and have them come down here? Let’s see who’s telling the truth.” “Let’s see who the liar is.” I smiled at Miranda, watching her every reaction. And I could see the panic rising in her eyes. 2 “I already told you, my fiancé is the heir to the Forbes Corporation. He’s a very busy man. Aren’t my daughter and I proof enough?” “Chloe Staton, I have never seen you before in my life. What is your problem with me? Why are you doing this?” As she spoke, Miranda managed to squeeze out a few tears. She pulled out her phone, feigning distress as she texted her fiancé. She deliberately angled her phone so everyone could see her lock screen: a happy family photo of the three of them. Then she opened her messages. [Honey, some crazy woman showed up at the reunion and started a fight with me. Gigi is so scared, she’s crying…] She was putting on a show, and I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms. For a split second, I wished, I prayed, that I was wrong. But then, Eason’s voice filled the room from her phone. [Don’t worry, sweetheart. Don’t be scared. She’s just some nobody. Ignore her.] [I’ll be there to pick you and Gigi up as soon as I’m done with this meeting.] Miranda played the voice message on speaker, for my benefit. The room erupted in a chorus of oohs and aahs. “That’s not fair! This is a class reunion, not your personal romance movie!” “Oh my god, they were so sweet in college, and they’re even sweeter now!” “Eason Forbes, the ultimate doting husband. It was never just a rumor!” The chatter and teasing swirled around me. I was the clown in their circus. Three years ago, Eason and I had a quiet, arranged marriage, registered at the courthouse but kept secret. We had no children. The official reason was that we were both too busy. So busy, in fact, that we didn’t even have three photos together. Eason always said he felt guilty about it. At the beginning of the year, he had taken my hand and promised me: “Chloe, you’ve put up with so much since we got married.” “This year, once the Forbes and Staton corporations merge and expand, I’ll throw you a proper wedding. You can finally take a break, okay?” Back then, his words had warmed my heart. I thought I was the luckiest woman in the world. How ironic it all seemed now. My hands were shaking with rage. I was about to call him, to demand an explanation, when Miranda’s daughter, who had somehow ended up at my feet, suddenly tripped and fell. She let out a piercing wail. Miranda flew at me like a woman possessed, hitting and scratching. “You bitch! How dare you touch my daughter! If Eason finds out, he’ll have you killed!” I almost laughed. Have the second daughter of the Staton family killed? Even if you gave the Forbess a hundred times their courage, they wouldn’t dare. I was now certain Eason was hiding something. My patience for Miranda and her daughter was gone. I grabbed her wrist, my grip tightening. “I forgot to mention, my husband, Eason Forbes, is also the sole heir to the Forbes Corporation. And we are legally married.” “So, what does that make you?” “His mistress?” My words hit their mark. Miranda crumbled, slumping to the floor in a heap of tears and pain. She wailed to her old classmates, “This crazy woman is spreading lies! I can’t take it anymore!” By now, the audience was getting restless. They had seen enough of the show to piece together their own version of the story. I was the mistress, jealous of the rightful wife, here to cause a scene. The class president, who had organized the event, dropped all pretense of politeness and called security. “How did this woman get in without an invitation? Get her out of here!” I struggled, but the two burly guards dragged me out by my hair. From the floor, Miranda shot me a triumphant, mocking smirk. Just as the chaos reached its peak, a car pulled up. Eason had arrived. 3 “Chloe?” The class president froze. I froze. The room fell silent. “Eason, buddy! We thought you weren’t coming! What took you so long?” “You have no idea what your wife and daughter just went through. It was all because of this crazy woman!” “Don’t worry, though. We had security throw her out.” The class president explained, but Eason’s face had gone dark. He rushed over, scooped me into his arms, and carried me toward his car, his voice a low growl. “If anything happens to my wife, every single one of you will be held responsible.” He held me tight, his voice filled with a fear I hadn’t heard before. “I’m so sorry, Chloe. I’m late.” “That woman inside, Miranda, and her daughter… I barely know them. We never even spoke in college. I have no idea what’s going on.” “I’ll take you to the hospital first. I’ll handle the rest. I promise I’ll make this right.” He kissed my forehead, his expression fraught with worry. Normally, I would have trusted him without a second thought. But now, I hesitated. That four-year-old girl… her features were too familiar. A knot of dread tightened in my stomach. I grabbed his hand, my voice insistent. “You don’t know Miranda, right?” “Swear to me you’re not lying.” He turned his hand, his fingers lacing with mine, his gaze unwavering. “I swear on the legacy of the Forbes family. I am only married to you. I have never loved anyone else.” “Don’t worry. Let Mr. Hayes take you to the hospital.” He closed the car door, instructing his driver to take me for a check-up. Halfway there, I stopped the car. My voice was flat, emotionless. “Turn around.” Outside the exclusive club, the crowd had dispersed. No one wanted to get involved in the Forbes family drama. Only a woman and a four-year-old girl stood at the entrance. Eason stood opposite Miranda, his voice like ice. “Ms. Hayes, I have no issue with you. Why are you harassing my wife?” “And for the record, I have no relationship with you, and I certainly do not have a daughter. If you continue to spread these rumors, you will face the consequences.” Miranda stared at him, her body rigid. The little girl beside her, who had been trying to be brave, suddenly burst into tears and clung to Eason’s leg. “Daddy… why don’t you want Mommy anymore? I hate you!” A look of disgust crossed Eason’s face. He instinctively pulled away. He muttered something to his assistant, then turned and walked away without a backward glance. The assistant spoke to Miranda and her daughter with undisguised contempt. “The only Mrs. Forbes is Chloe Staton. You can’t just show up with a child and expect to claim a spot in the family. Get lost.” Miranda’s eyes were red with tears, her face a mask of confusion. From inside the car, I watched the scene unfold. Mr. Hayes, the driver, sighed. “The Forbes Corporation has been struggling lately. A lot of competitors are looking for any weakness to exploit.” “Mr. Forbes cares deeply for you, ma’am. He would never cheat on you.” “I can vouch for that. This mother and daughter must have been sent by a rival to cause trouble.” Mr. Hayes had watched Eason grow up. His words carried weight. I let my guard down and managed a small smile. “If you say so, Mr. Hayes, then I have no reason to doubt my husband. Please, take me to the hospital.” “By the way,” I added, as if it were an afterthought, “are all the arrangements for the wedding next month finalized?” Mr. Hayes’s face lit up. “Mr. Forbes is taking the wedding very seriously, ma’am. He’s invited all the biggest names in the business world. He wants to give you the grandest wedding the city has ever seen…” I nodded, leaning back against the seat, suddenly exhausted. It was almost eleven when I got home. The housekeeper met me at the door. “Ma’am, Mr. Forbes called. He said there’s an emergency at the office and he won’t be home tonight. He said you should get some rest.” “Okay. Tell him to take care of himself.” At two in the morning, I lay in the vast, empty bed, wide awake. The images of Miranda and her daughter replayed in my mind. Just a setup to cause trouble? I scoffed. Just then, my phone vibrated. A new message. It was a video, from Miranda. In the video, she was cuddling with her daughter in Eason’s arms, asking him playfully, “For our next baby, do you want a boy or a girl?” Eason, with a tenderness I had never seen, smiled and said, “As long as it’s yours, I’ll love it.” Gigi jumped into his lap with a bag of chips, whining, “Daddy, open!” Watching this happy little family, I felt a wave of disbelief. Was this the same man who always told me he hated kids? How ironic. Even now, he was still lying, still trying to hide it. My phone buzzed again. A text from a private investigator. [The Staton Hotel, Room 301.] I let out a bitter laugh. They were so shameless, carrying on their affair in my family’s hotel. Eason Forbes, let’s see you explain your way out of this one. [Get all the evidence. I’m going to give them a wedding gift they’ll never forget.] At five, as the sky was just beginning to lighten, an arm wrapped around my waist from behind. It was cold. It smelled of freshly washed soap. “Honey, you’re so warm. Having you here… I’m so happy…” I opened my eyes, which had been open all night, and my heart felt like it had been carved out of my chest. The pain was a dull, numb ache. This time, I didn’t say a word back to him.

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The New York High Society knew Julian Sterling as a playboy, changing girlfriends more often than changing clothes. Until he met me. He turned over a new leaf, transformed into a devoted husband, spoiling me alone for a full six years. I thought I was really the exception. Until our third wedding anniversary. I saw Julian holding my student Hailey, face full of deep affection. “You look so charming when you paint.” “Brother Julian is just coaxing me.” Hailey lowered her head shyly, “Everyone knows Teacher Vera is the goddess of the art world.” “She’s old. Together for six years, I lost feelings for her long ago.” Julian intimately rubbed Hailey’s lips, and kissed down. I was struck by lightning, the ultrasound in my hand fluttered down, reading: “Intrauterine pregnancy, eight weeks.” Chapter 1 “Vera.” Kiss finished, Julian still unsatisfied, but inadvertently looked up and saw me. His eyes were a bit flustered, hurriedly let go of Hailey and walked forward: “Why are you here, when did you arrive?” He was stained with a strong perfume smell, the smell he used to hate most, now enjoying it. Anger in my heart seemed ignited by this scent. I ignored his words, raised my hand and slapped him. Slap! Sound rang out, Julian covered his face looking at me in disbelief, but the guilt in his eyes could hardly be hidden. Eyes met, he murmured trying to say something, but was interrupted by Hailey. “Teacher, don’t blame Brother Julian, it’s me…” She spread her arms protecting in front of Julian, slender body trembling slightly. As if I were some monster. But clearly I was the one who helped her escape her leeching parents, sponsored her school, and brought her by my side to teach personally after discovering her painting talent. Double betrayal of husband and student like a big mountain, heavily pressed on my heart. I closed my eyes, about to speak. But saw Julian protect her behind him, looking at me alertly: “None of Hailey’s business, don’t touch her!” Immediately maybe realizing his tone was wrong, he softened his expression, explained: “Hailey is still a simple little girl, serious and hardworking, you also know right?” I pulled the corner of my mouth, couldn’t help mocking: “Yes, quite hardworking at hooking up with other people’s husbands.” Hailey’s face instantly lost color, clutching her chest about to faint. Julian immediately supported her, scolding me by full name: “Vera, you went too far! Apologize!” “Apologize? You want me to apologize to the student seducing my husband?” I looked straight at him, hole in my heart getting bigger. Julian avoided my eyes, momentum softened: “You misunderstood us, I just treat Hailey as a little sister next door, no other meaning.” At this time Julian was still quibbling. I lost desire to speak, lowered head picked up the ultrasound on the ground, turned to leave. But didn’t expect Hailey rushed up, grabbed my hand, crying and begging: “Brother Julian and I are not what you think, you, don’t drive me away.” I was about to throw off her hand, but was pushed by her backhand, rolled down the stairs. And she had a successful smile in her eyes, screaming and falling to the ground: “Teacher, don’t!” “Hailey!” Following Julian’s face changed greatly, hugging Hailey about to leave, completely ignoring me rolling down the stairs. A sharp colic came from lower abdomen, a stream of heat flowed down between calves, I covered my belly, look panicked: “Julian Sterling, I’m bleeding, take me to the hospital quickly.” Julian stunned for a moment, he looked at me, just wanted to come over, but was pulled by sleeve by Hailey. “Brother Julian, my hand is injured, will I never be able to paint again?” Hailey pointed at the faint red mark on her hand, crying delicately. Julian’s attention was immediately pulled away, left without looking back, only dropping a sentence: “Hailey is injured, I take her to hospital first, come pick you up later.” Pain in lower abdomen became more obvious, but couldn’t compare to my heartache at this moment. Vision darkening in bursts, consciousness more and more blurred, I struggled to call 911, completely fainted. Chapter 2 Woke up again I was lying in the hospital. “Sorry, Ms. Vera, you lost too much blood, child didn’t keep.” Doctor’s words repeatedly rang in ears, I stared blankly at fallen leaves outside ward, heart felt dead. Long time, I finally picked up phone, dialed that number: “Felix, I agree to your cooperation, fly to Paris next week.” Phone just hung up, Julian broke in, he hugged me, face full of self-blame and distress: “Vera, sorry. I didn’t know.” His voice full of regret. I know, his regret is sincere. When just married, we had a child, getting news he hugged me spinning circles, excited like a big boy. He looked forward to child’s arrival with longing, holding dictionary staying up late researching names, even personally decorating nursery. But less than three months, I had car accident on way to company finding him, child didn’t keep. He blamed himself not picking me up causing accident, also distressed I suffered car accident and miscarriage, treated me better since then. He always hugged me at night saying, child is gift from heaven, this time just gift not ready yet. Next time, child will definitely come again. Indeed, child came, on our third wedding anniversary. I went to gallery finding him with joy, wanted give him surprise. But child, left again because of him. I closed eyes, forcing back tears in eyes, pried open his fingers one by one, pushed him away: “If really sorry, let Hailey pay with life.” Julian stunned, immediately defended: “Hailey didn’t mean it.” “Besides, if you didn’t push her she wouldn’t fall down stairs.” Six years of love couldn’t beat Hailey’s one sentence, already dead heart actually could still feel pain, I sneered: “In your eyes, I am this kind of person?” He flashed hesitation in eyes, and at this time, knock on door sounded, Hailey walked in carrying lunch box. “Teacher, heard you miscarried, I boiled chicken soup to nourish your body.” She served a bowl of chicken soup, handed to me, but skillfully knocked over bowl. Boiling chicken soup splashed in front of me. Julian rushed over quickly, hugged Hailey, helping her block splashing soup. “Hailey, are you okay.” He carefully checked if Hailey injured, but didn’t find back of my hand scalded with string of red blisters. “Vera!” Julian frowned tight, shouted at me for Hailey again, “How did you become so vicious?” “Hailey kindly sent you chicken soup, you not drinking fine, still deliberately knocked over, do you know how dangerous just now?” Blisters on hand drilled heart pain, I looked at Julian in disbelief: “What did you say?” Julian just about to speak again, peripheral vision glimpsed injury on my hand, a trace of nervousness flashed in his eyes, tone softened: “Look at you, scalded yourself. Don’t be like this later.” “Julian Sterling, are your eyes blind? She deliberately knocked over chicken soup.” I pulled back hand, hoarse voice arguing. “Hailey so kind how possible do this?” Julian frowned again, as if I was unreasonable. “Brother Julian, don’t blame Teacher, it’s my fault. Teacher didn’t hold steady, no, I shouldn’t let go before Teacher held steady.” Hailey stepped forward timely, words seemed helping me take blame. “Not blame you, it’s her problem.” Sure enough, right and wrong already concluded in Julian’s heart. Looking at their loving appearance, I only felt nausea: “Get out!” Julian’s accusing voice stopped abruptly, he looked at me, finally just said: “You calm down alone properly, I come see you later.” Until night, Julian didn’t come again. Phone popped Instagram notification, I clicked in, it was Hailey’s nine-grid post: “Sure enough claw machine makes mood happy, with person liked happy double~” Pictures below were her and Julian’s funny photos at claw machine, Julian who always sniffed at this childish game accompanied her tirelessly. I smiled self-mockingly, handled discharge procedures alone. Returned to villa, I found divorce agreement at bottom of closet, couldn’t help feeling trance. This was handed to me by Julian personally on wedding day. He said: “Vera, I love you. But I know your insecurity.” “This divorce agreement is guarantee I give you, if one day, I change heart, you can leave anytime.” “I will use rest of life prove my love to you.” I never thought would use this divorce agreement, but now, it achieved my freedom. Calmly signed name, I gave it to lawyer for certification. Car engine sound came from downstairs, Julian came back, he broke into bedroom looking flustered, sighed relief seeing me: “Vera, why didn’t you answer my call?” I looked at missed calls on phone, truth said: “Didn’t hear.” Julian sat beside me, concerned said: “Why discharged? Just finished miscarriage surgery, body hasn’t recovered well.” Gentle and considerate as always, as if nothing happened. “Let’s divorce.” Ignoring his cheap concern, I directly said my plan. Julian stunned a bit, then laughed again: “Why saying angry words again? Still minding Hailey matter? Said I just treat her as little sister.” When just married, we always quarreled due to living habits. Once quarreled I deliberately mentioned divorce, and Julian took it very seriously every time, he forcedly changed all bad habits of rich young master to accommodate me. He always hugged me saying: “Vera, not allowed scare me like this, I’m scared.” Later, he treated me better and better, we never quarreled again, I also never mentioned these two words. He didn’t know what thought of, continued: “Besides, leaving me, where can you go?” I have no parents, only he is my relative in world, he certain I can’t leave him. I sneered in heart, but didn’t argue, only calm said: “I am serious.” Seeing my expression unusually cold, Julian frowned, wanted say something, but interrupted by phone ring. He looked at me, lowered voice walked to door: “Hailey, what’s up.” Voice gradually inaudible, I didn’t care either, continued packing my personal items. Soon, Julian hurriedly walked out, only dropping a sentence: “Company business, I go over. Talk when back.” Chapter 3 Next morning early, servant told me Julian didn’t return all night. I shrugged indifferently, went to gallery. Day after tomorrow gallery will hold an art exhibition, fundraising for children in Foster Care. Grew up in foster care, this is my wish for many years, once completed, can leave without regret. I and assistant Annie carefully checked exhibits, instructed her keep children’s paintings well, display together then. Those were sent to me specially by foster care children, tender brushes full of their gratitude to me, one of my collectibles. Until Julian came, I realized it was already afternoon. “Vera, I take you shopping.” Julian talked to me, eyes looking at phone, face brimming with smile. I packing paintings on table, said: “I not going.” Julian stunned, eyes finally willing look at me: “Why not go.” “Don’t want go.” I casually said. Silent moment, he forcefully pulled me out: “Let’s go, long time didn’t buy you jewelry.” Arrived at a frequent jewelry store, Julian took me into VIP room. Didn’t expect Hailey also here. “Teacher, you sit.” She arranged my seat like hostess. I looked at Julian, didn’t speak. “Hailey said never wore jewelry, I brought her see world.” Julian uncomfortably moved sight, pressed me sit down. He naturally walked to sit beside Hailey, handed catalog to her: “Hailey, look which jewelry you like.” Clearly said bringing me buy jewelry, but completely didn’t ask my opinion. Soon, staff sent tray after tray jewelry, high profile exaggerated, all styles I dislike. I bored looked at phone, turned blind eye to two people chatting laughing. “Vera, tell you something.” Julian finally remembered my existence, turned head said, “Give your painting ‘The Painting Girl’ to Hailey.” “What meaning?” I didn’t react, asked in astonishment. “About to hold art exhibition soon, Hailey is newcomer, needs fame. ‘The Painting Girl’ is best work.” Julian tone casual, face full matter of course. As if person who once said art cannot be blasphemed, determined pursue plagiarist wasn’t him. “That is mine, work I painted three days three nights, to send exhibition.” I laughed in anger, said word by word. “Vera, why so calculating? Your fame loud enough, this painting optional to you. Hailey different, she needs this chance.” “I don’t agree.” I refused coldly. Julian face dyed thin anger, he looked at me deeply: “You disagree also have to agree.” Arguing already lost meaning, I stopped talking. Before leaving, I went restroom, didn’t expect Hailey also followed me in. “Teacher, what feeling you say Brother Julian has for me?” She looked at me full provocation. “Don’t call me Teacher, you unworthy.” I shook water drops, calm said. Hailey changed face: “I hate your high above look most, everything given to me seems like charity.” I didn’t pay attention to her anymore, wiped hands ready leave. My indifference seemed stung her, she leaned close my ear, trying use uglier words sting me: “Do you know? Your child was got rid by me deliberately. I knew you pregnant long ago.” Fingertips slight pain, I pulled out hand, directly gave her a slap. “Vera, what you doing?” Julian delayed waiting us, came in just saw Hailey beaten. “She said she deliberately pushed me down stairs.” I told truth. Hailey immediately said: “Not blame Teacher, is me shouldn’t come pick jewelry.” Her tears hung on eyelashes, slap mark on face red, whole person appeared pitiful. Julian sure enough didn’t believe my words, started blaming me again: “How you become so petty now, this bit thing worth you hit people?” “Apologize!” Still old trick, I lazy watch them perform, turned leave. “Vera, don’t regret.” Behind came Julian gritting teeth voice. Chapter 4 At night, I packed last box luggage, received Annie’s call. “Sister, come gallery quick, accident.” “What happened?” I hurriedly rushed to gallery, only saw mess, many paintings casually thrown on ground, some even stepped on. And my most cherished foster care children’s paintings, were all torn. Annie tone anxious: “Is Mr. Sterling, he brought Hailey over, said want teach you lesson.” I dialed Julian phone, voice carrying tremble: “Children’s paintings you destroyed?” “Little lesson for you, learn how respect others.” Julian voice came, tone relaxed, as if joking. “You clearly know meaning of those paintings to me.” My voice hoarse terrible. Phone that side, Julian voice paused instant, then said: “Who let you unwilling apologize.” Not waiting me say anything, he continued: “‘The Painting Girl’ I also took, later this painting belongs Hailey.” “Impossible.” I found back voice. “Day after tomorrow art exhibition if still want hold smoothly, you better agree.” Phone that side, Julian tone became forest cold. “You threaten me?” I tightly clenched fist, whole body blood surging. “Vera, I also don’t want. Just, this is I promised Hailey.” Julian sighed, “Just my one sentence, can withdraw capital, you consider clearly.” “I agree you.” Tight clenched fist powerlessly loosened, I compromised. Julian smiled satisfied: “Vera good, didn’t you always want go back foster care look? After exhibition I take you.” Finished, he hung up phone. Annie looked at my ugly expression, dared not say a word. Long time, I asked softly: “Gallery buyer contacted well?” “Contacted well, Mr. Zhou willing buy gallery at three times market price.” Annie worried looked at me, “Sister, you really leaving?” “Mm. I greeted Sister Fen, after exhibition day after tomorrow, you go directly to her.” Annie hesitated speak, finally just sighed: “Sister, take care!” Approaching noon, Mr. Zhou asked me to restaurant talk gallery details, didn’t expect bumped into Julian again. He feeding lobster to Hailey, Hailey bit down, held his finger. Julian eyes dark, pressed her back head kissed up. Then, Hailey face shy threw into Julian arms. “Brother Julian, will you always good to me?” “Of course.” Julian smiled gentle affectionate, just like appearance to me back then. “Vera, what wrong?” Mr. Zhou pulled dining chair, seeing me delayed sit, curious asked. “Nothing.” I took back sight sat down. Movement here alarmed Julian, he walked over face unkind, tone terrible cold: “Who is he?” “Partner.” I didn’t lift head, casual perfunctory. Sensing my coldness, Julian inexplicably uncomfortable, he pursed lips: “Finish eat I send you back.” I noncommittal. After meal, Mr. Zhou left first, I just about call Annie pick me, Julian car stopped in front: “Get in.” I looked at passenger seat, Hailey looking at me innocent. “Vera, you sit back.” Julian casually looked me once, ordered. “No need.” I calm smiled, straight left. “Vera, what you making trouble again?” Julian chased over, face written full irritability. I threw off his hand, said nothing, continued walk forward. “Good, this is you want go yourself.” Julian roared exasperatedly behind me.

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Dating for seven years, my boyfriend Julian Vance never wanted to go public with me. But on Thanksgiving, he unprecedentedly sent me an invitation. Inviting me to attend his Family Gala. I was overjoyed, ran through several malls to buy a suitable door gift. But the moment I opened the gate of the Vance family villa in The Hamptons, I saw Julian lying on the belly of the woman beside him, listening to fetal movement. Surrounded by neat and tidy Vance family members. The woman saw me first, smilingly pushed away Julian’s head, came over to pull me: “Oh, came so early.” “Introduce to everyone, this is the Doula I newly found, Sarah.” … The moment Julian looked up and met my eyes, the smile froze on his face. From his shocked expression, I clearly realized, It wasn’t Julian who invited me today, but the woman beside him. Even the dress on me, exactly the same as hers, was her handiwork. The woman looked at Julian’s expression, said with interest: “Julian should recognize this Doula, right?” Julian’s hand shook, almost knocked over the tea cup at hand. This panicked and helpless look forced me to face reality, I was the “Third Party”. Even invited to home by his wife personally to be humiliated in public. “Should be a new intern in our department, not too familiar.” Julian explained awkwardly. Seven years of relationship, turns out I am just a not too familiar colleague. Julian face gloomy, scolded me angrily: “What are you doing running here?” “Usually not attentive at work, privately fawning on leaders you have a set.” “Hurry roll (get out), I don’t buy this.” Simple few sentences cleared himself clean. People present showed contempt to me one after another. “Running to others’ home on Thanksgiving, wearing same clothes as others’ wife, what heart is this.” “Don’t know if her dress is rented or tax deduction.” “This kind of cheap girl even wearing real goods looks fake.” I haven’t recovered, the woman pulled my hand gently said: “Everyone don’t say a little girl like this, Julian you are also true, why so fierce to girls.” Saying pulled me to dining table, but only let me stand with servants behind her. She held my hand sighing: “Little girl’s hand is really tender, no wonder men like.” Immediately spat a mouthful of phlegm in my palm. The disgusting sticky touch in palm couldn’t match the shame in my heart at this moment. And Julian watching all this happen didn’t say a word, Turned head to chat with his sister. His sister didn’t know when already opened the gift bag I brought, tone exaggerated: “My god, this is Dior style from several years ago right, this thing still someone buys?” “Eh, this style looks like for my mom.” “Damn, you wouldn’t really harbor thoughts of pleasing the matriarch to ascend as Vance family daughter-in-law right.” “Trouble you see clear your own identity okay.” People in the room burst into laughter. My brain completely crashed, only left dense stinging pain in heart. I fled under excuse of washing hands, but got lost in Vance family garden. While looking for exit, I received a call from Julian. Didn’t expect before I got angry, Julian scolded me first covering head covering face. “Sarah where did you find my home address? Still wear same clothes as Giselle to provoke her? You really have ability.” “I warn you, Giselle is a very kind and beautiful girl, don’t you think about hurting her, otherwise I…” “Why lie to me.” I interrupted him asking back. Julian paused, indifferent said, “I didn’t lie to you, just didn’t tell you Giselle’s existence that’s all.” “Besides, I did this wasn’t it because didn’t want make you sad?” “Afraid I sad, so hid from me having family and children with others?” Told me DINK (Double Income, No Kids), non-marriage, unwilling to publicize personal relationship, But behind my back had wife, children, family happy and harmonious. I even started doubting if he really had feelings for me in these seven years? Or just treated me as a tool for relief. “I can’t explain clear to you this person, I let your mom talk to you.” Said then hung up phone on his own. Again like this, every quarrel he would push me to my mom. Even too lazy to say one more sentence of explanation. And my mom thinks Julian is rich, as long as I don’t break up with him, she has no objection even if he beats me to death. Actually, acquaintance between me and Julian originated from an accident. That year me and brother graduated high school together, Mom for letting brother go to expensive third-tier college, Wanted me give up going to New York University (NYU). In restaurant I angry to crazy, hysterically quarreled with my mom, Finally even fainted because heart attack. Moment consciousness about to dissipate, I heard Julian’s deep voice. He told me he is professional cardiac surgeon, let me not worry, hand everything to him. In blurred consciousness, what I smelled was the extremely nice woody scent on him. During three months hospitalization, I truly knew this Dr. Vance. Wearing white coat he was both careful and professional, To elderly who don’t understand pharmacology, illiterate, he would explain patiently, To anxious, irritable patient families, he would also use simple easy understand explanation make them relieved. Often neglected at home me, fell in his care, My heartbeat accelerated again, Just, this time seemed because of heart moved. I never chased anyone, only could under guise of thanking savior, Send Thank You Cards, flowers, various novel small gifts to Julian. In the gap year after discharge, I also often found excuse go hospital find him. Even for him, applied for medical major. But Julian was dull, until colleagues around reminded him, I seemed like him, he then startled. I till now can’t forget, the day we got together, I holding health tea I boiled myself outside operating room, waited him more than ten hours, Wait him finish that most important surgery for his career, first one say congrats to him. Julian came out from operating room, saw was me squatting on ground, holding health tea slept dead. He gently picked me up, face was indescribable tenderness. “Sarah, let’s be together!” I that time excited to forget self, forgot ask him. Being with me, exactly is like, or moved. Just now think, probably moved more than like. While thinking wild thoughts, a white figure flashed in front of me, comer is Giselle. “Sorry Miss Giselle, intervening you and Julian not my original intention, when I was with Julian, didn’t know he had wife.” I said full of apology. She however light laughed, tone relaxed: “Just a foot washing maid, what I have good to care?” “You wouldn’t think I invited you today is to give you a show of strength right?” She laughed exaggeratedly: “Oh my god, you look up yourself too much.” “I just heard Julian say your business good, really wanted let you come take care of our baby.” “And I also quite curious what that hate-to-marry little fan girl in his mouth looks like.” “Just seeing today, seems also just so so.” I clenched fist, coldly interrupted her. “Oh, since like this, then I indeed have nothing good to apologize, Doula you please hire someone else.” Said I turned want go, she however called me, wrote me a $500 check. “Today’s wage, don’t let people say Mrs. Vance renege on debt, but correspondingly.” She handed over a bill. “During time you and Julian together spent are our couple joint property, now also please you return them all.” I looked at bill detailed to a bottle of water, a condom, couldn’t help bitter smile. Turns out every penny he spent on me was carefully calculated. “He sent me things, I all returned gifts of equivalent value.” “If want calculate, does he also have to return those gifts.” She contemptuously smiled: “Sure, if you can get receipts of all things.” They just certain I loved Julian, never would care about giving, more impossible keep receipts. But Julian clearly knew my family background not good, university tuition and living expenses all saved by my own part-time work. Yet deliberately used thing I care most to ridicule me, bill crumpled in hand. Giselle still continued: “Might as well tell you a fact, me and Julian knew each other after you met.” “But so what? Still not hinder I am the main wife.” “And you, even wore same clothes as me, loved same man, others also will feel you are stolen.” I angry whole body uncontrollable trembling, gritted teeth squeezed out a sentence, “Qing Dynasty fell no one notify you? Still main wife.” “Just a rotten cucumber, only you treat as treasure, I don’t want.” But panicked footsteps still betrayed me, Giselle’s arrogant voice with laughter sounded behind: “Exit is over there.” I embarrassed turned back again. But walking walking suddenly walked into a path carefully decorated. Various colors fresh flowers neatly stacked on both sides of road. Hand folded paper cranes hung full branches. Even have fireflies captured from unknown where flying in flowers. My heart uneasy, finally when walked to end of path, “Bang” a sound, fireworks exploded over my head. Julian pushing cake, behind him were Vance family members and business partners holding various gifts. Whole garden dressed up like Alice in Wonderland. Everyone saw comer is me, all stunned. Julian even more impatient said: “Why is you, why haven’t you left?” A reporter came to shoot asked, “Who is this?” Julian faintly replied: “Irrelevant person.” I embarrassed wished find a crack in ground drill in. Before I awkwardly exit, Giselle walked out from behind me. She pretended surprise: “Wow, these all prepared for me?!” Julian face just irritable now only left full tenderness: “Yes ah, happy birthday to my baby, our Vance family greatest hero!” People around smiling stepped forward send blessing, and I squeezed to side most corner. Watching such warm picture, I suddenly remembered. Start from fourth year of relationship, Julian became very cold to me, even often not return night. I thought he work busy, specially on his birthday, personally learned make cake send to hospital give him. He however because my sudden visit without advance notice exploded rage. Smashed whole cake on me said: “This is hospital, not your home.” “Celebrating a birthday want everyone cooperate you, where you come so big face ah?” “Don’t lose face here, hurry roll home for me.” But now for Giselle birthday, he not hesitate invite all business partners, invite whole city reporters. Giselle under Julian urging, face full happiness closed eyes make wish. Man lowered eyes look her bottom of eyes is unmeltable tenderness. Completely different from that high above look when looking at me. I sneered, just want silently exit garden, heard Giselle scream out. “Julian, Vance family heirloom Emerald Necklace missing!” “Today come here all own family, except…” Everyone’s sight followed Giselle gaze look at me. “This woman when came today wore same clothes as Mrs. Vance, also fawns on Mother Vance, afraid not really stole necklace delusion replace Mrs. Vance right?” “Sigh, Mrs. Vance just heart too kind, always thinking help poor students, but don’t know current little girls, you first second spend money sponsor her, she next second take money hook your husband go la.” “Tsk tsk tsk, looking quite fresh a little girl, how is this look.” My hair stood up, hurry explain: “Not, I didn’t.” Julian looked Giselle red eyes, looked again face panic me, face solemn few points. “Also possible people many eyes mixed, accidentally lost, everyone look around first?” Giselle bean big tears rolled from cheek: “Julian, you clearly know how much I treasure this heirloom necklace, how could I casually lose.” “Are you questioning me for her now?” Julian immediately panicked helpless, hugging her coaxing. Giselle not buy it, forcefully pushed him away. “I also don’t slander her, have or not, search her body then know.” Julian busy nod, cold voice called bodyguards. Next second, few bodyguards dead pressed me on ground, in front of everyone started tearing my clothes.

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Since the Miscarriage, I started to become sensible. Never urged Julian Hale to come home again, Didn’t care about him vacationing with my Bestie. Didn’t mind him being the father of my bestie’s son. Even now, I stepped on a few used Condom Wrappers in his car, Also didn’t change expression, casually threw into trash bag. Who knew Julian slammed the brakes, voice like a snapped string, “Me and Tara were intimate in the car… you just have this reaction?” I nodded, tone calm, “Feelings hard to control, I understand.” I finally became the sensible wife Julian wanted. Just he didn’t know, Those years I was most insensible, I really loved him. … Chapter 1 “Hazel, you changed.” Julian’s voice trembled a bit, “Before you wouldn’t be so indifferent.” I looked at street view flying past window, lightly responded, “That time insensible.” “Hazel, I don’t need you this sensible, you can quarrel with me like before.” I pulled mouth corner, gaze landed on my slightly crooked little finger. That was when I slapped Tara last time, pushed down by him, stepped broken by a foot. See me silent, Julian unprecedentedly promised me, “Hazel, after Christmas, I will cut clean with Tara, we start over.” A year ago if I heard such words, would definitely moved to tears. But now, I only feel funny. Car drove all way to Hale family old mansion, just entered door, I saw Tara wearing apron setting plates, just like a hostess posture. Julian instantly panicked, “I didn’t know she would be here…” “Is I invited Tara to help.” Mother-in-law glanced at me sideways, tone with thorns, “Christmas Eve, don’t insensible make joke again.” This scene, exactly same as last year. That time Tara also entered room like this, left hand holding mother-in-law, right hand holding Julian. On reunion dinner table, I poured red wine in hand on her head. In Tara’s crying sound, Julian unhesitatingly splashed a basin of hot soup to my face. I subconsciously stroked that light scar on forehead corner, suddenly smiled, “Then hard work for Tara.” Someone willing act virtuous, I happy to be free. Just turned want grab handful melon seeds, Julian however grabbed me, voice suppressed disbelief, “Hazel Vance, you just let outsider celebrate Christmas with us?” I nodded smiling, returned Julian’s words last year intact. “Tara alone bringing child not easy, big festival, can’t let them spend alone.” “She is my best friend, I no opinion.” While speaking, Tara’s son suddenly rushed over, head butted on my lower abdomen. “Bad woman! Not allowed you snatch my mom’s position!” Tara busy covered his mouth, “Child watched too much cartoons, you don’t mind.” But in her eyes, no half apology. I quietly stood, abdomen remained dull pain. This world long nothing can make me care, Except that child I forever no chance to birth. Chapter 2 Me and Julian were a pair envied by everyone in university. He remembered my every class time, when cold my thermos always warm. I knew he doing experiment no time eat, passing cafeteria always would bring ribs he loves eating. We chatted literature, also chatted macroeconomics, were lovers, more soulmates. Graduation year Hale family bankrupted by opponent snipe, Father Hale white hair overnight, forced jump building by creditors. Julian forced drop out, took over astronomical debt. When I found him, he curled in corner of rental room, wrist knife wound hideous, blood flowed a floor. Father gone, mother sick, debt like mountain crushed him, he got severe depression. I approached him, he raised knife roared let me roll. Moment blade entered my shoulder, he however suddenly awake, holding me wailing cry. Death not afraid, still afraid living? I hid from family processed drop out, accompany him carry together. Seven years, I pieced broken him back bit by bit. We set up stall, delivered food, took odd jobs, balanced accounts together in countless early mornings. Night paid off last debt, he used glass ring polished half year propose to me. Ring circle rough, but was most precious thing I wore. At wedding, he cried speechless in front of everyone, “Hazel, this life I absolutely not fail you.” After marriage, we loving sweet, only regret was no child. These years hard work overdrafted our bodies, pregnancy for us abnormally difficult. Injections, egg retrieval, failure, try again… every time out from hospital, lower abdomen hung cold pain. At this time Tara brought child find me, We knew since childhood, her father rotten gambler, mother ran with man when she very small. Parents pitied her, brought her home take care, we ate together lived together, until college entrance exam then separated. I smilingly stuffed a big red envelope to child, blame her, “When married, also not tell me, let me prepare dowry for you.” Her eyes dodged, suddenly said, “Remember junior year, I went find you? That time you guys rented a house.” I apologetic nod, “Those few days wronged you alone in rental waiting me, lab too busy, I also didn’t take you good stroll.” “One night, you didn’t come back,” She interrupted my words, voice very light, “He took me as you.” She pushed child towards me, “This is Julian Hale’s son.” I stood in place, tinnitus covered all sounds. Julian reaction after knowing back home, was fiercely gave Tara a slap, then smoked whole night on balcony. Next day, he eyes red hugged me, “Hazel, that night I drunk knew nothing, I absolutely not recognize this child.” Day Paternity Test result out, mother-in-law holding Tommy laughed can’t close mouth. Julian however only cold face, “Except Hazel’s child, others don’t think enter Hale family genealogy.” Tara cried sad, she saying these years alone bringing child not easy, if not desperate absolutely impossible come find us. Julian impatiently threw her a check, let her disappear forever. Tara picked up check left, life seemed restored original state. Julian still accompany me go hospital, considerate to me minute, hold tight my hand when injection, wipe tears for me when failed. I gradually put down knot, after all in this matter, Julian not know, and Tara also didn’t pester much. Three months later, IVF finally successful. Just when I holding prenatal checkup report, excited call Julian, across traffic flow road, I saw him. He one hand holding jumping Tommy, other hand tightly holding Tara’s waist. He lowered head, gently kissed Tara’s lips. Chapter 3 I stood in place, paper in hand gripped deep wrinkles, finger calling phone trembling. I tried hard keep voice calm, “Julian, where are you?” Voice other end phone revealed hurried, “I meeting in company, go back accompany you later.” “Check result how? Successful?” Successful, but I rather not. See me silent, Julian thought failed again, comfort me, “It’s okay Hazel, big deal we DINK, I won’t blame you.” Opposite road, Julian while calling me, while rubbed Tommy’s head, Tara smilingly snuggled in his arms. Like extreme a happy family of three. A tear smashed on back of hand, I pain to speechless, watching helpless they disappear in my sight. Trance back home, report sent by finance impressively less $10 Million. Under questioning, other side then stammering informed, “President Hale lit sky lantern for new secretary Chen auctioned $6 Million gem ring, also bought villa car.” I in study, staring financial report sat till late night. Until door lock rang, Julian pushed door in, bringing a body of chill. “Why not sleep yet?” He wanted hug me from behind, dodged by me trace less. “Angry?” He smilingly handed a bunch roses, “Meeting dragged too late, sorry.” But he forgot remove thorns on roses, also forgot I don’t like roses, rose is Tara’s favorite flower. I turned computer screen to him. His smile froze on face, but pretended calm, “Company recently invested a new project, need liquid funds.” “What project needs light sky lantern, auction 6 million ring?” Julian’s Adam’s apple rolled once, “Doing business, always need clear some connections…” “Villa and car, all for clearing connections? I then know Tara’s connection so big.” “You all knew.” Room fell into dead silence. Half晌 (while) later, Julian sighed, “Tara alone bringing Tommy live in rental, she has no job, living environment bad.” “Tommy always is my son, I can’t watch him suffer, I do this all for child.” I face cold indifferent, “So you use company money raise them?” Julian face sank, “Company is my Hale assets, is me one hand built up, I have right decide how use!” I looked at him, suddenly felt incomparable stranger. “Julian Hale, do you still remember day company registered, who paid registered capital?” He stunned. “Is me sold all dowry jewelry, plus money I saved working three jobs.” “Company first order, is me accompany client stomach bleeding exchanged.” “Most difficult time, is me mortgaged house left by grandpa then passed.” “Now you say, company is you one hand built up?” Julian face changed and changed, finally turned into a irritable anger, “Yes, you paid, but I also gave you Mrs. Hale position, this not enough?” “And Tara forever can’t get this title, what wrong I compensate her.” “Besides, yourself can’t pregnant child, could it be want my Hale family end line?” Bruise left by ovulation needle still faintly aching, I laughed out tears. Sperm deformity rate greater than 98%, is main reason I always can’t pregnant. I took off that glass ring he personally polished, smashed pieces on ground. I sued Tara, want her spit out what ate in, Bought trending online expose her, let her reputation ruined. Tara didn’t live few days good life, then beaten back original form, company also can’t stay. She used knife against throat, knelt on ground beg me, “Hazel, I won’t snatch your Mrs. Hale position, beg you let go us mother son.” She tears voice down, at moment Julian appeared, wiped neck. Force not heavy, watching however very scary. Julian rushed over fiercely gave me a slap, picked her up ran hospital. When back, he full eyes tired, “Hazel, divorce, not for Tara, for Tommy.” “You forced them roadless to go, I can only give them a title.” I coldly threw out prenatal checkup report, Law, during woman pregnancy, husband cannot divorce. Based on what, my fought all strength legitimate child once born no dad, while mistress illegitimate child can step on my skeleton enjoy life. Julian looked at ultrasound image, face floated a trace joy, no longer mention divorce. He seemed turned back to that considerate husband. Until Tara’s son pushed down from third floor by someone, First thing Tommy wake up, was identify me in front of police, “Is Auntie Hazel, pushed me downstairs.” “She said, I die, Daddy then only belong her.” Chapter 4 Company third floor surveillance artificially destroyed, Only person suspected only me. Police investigated me, finally because evidence insufficient, gave up prosecution. I used connections, asked best lawyer help me investigate truth. But Julian however determined is me, Day I came out from police station, he forcefully choked my neck, eyes ice cold. “How you bear heart hand on child! You not fit be human!” I painful gasp not up air, hard easy then broke free. That day on, Julian started whole night not home, said want redeem sin for me. I touch Tara once, he then twist break my wrist. I say a sentence truth online, he then hold press conference invert black white, accuse me is that third party. Public opinion reverse, netizens verbal criticism pen punish me, bitterly scold my shameless. Parents helped me explain, doxxed by netizens, suffered poison beat. After a live stream of Tara, parents brake line cut by someone, car accident. Pay in hospital then found, my all accounts frozen by Julian. Found him time, he doing with Tara entangled in bed, heat not scattered. “Tommy wants a sister.” He tone normal like saying weather. I whole body cold, only repeat, “My parents in hospital, need money.” “Apologize.” He buttoning shirt, eyes not lift, “Admit mistake to Tara, admit is you pushed Tommy, money immediately arrive account.” “Julian Hale, that is people you called parents three years!” “Parents?” He light laugh, “When they gave Tara eat leftovers, use as servant order, didn’t treat selves as elders.” “If not they harsh to Tara, Tara as to desperate come find us.” These all Tara rumors when live stream, Julian believed. I thought of bowls soup mother boiled for Julian, passbook father secretly stuffed him when he start business. Also thought childhood family poor, mother wore new made cotton coat on Tara body, while I wore Tara old clothes. Just when I grit teeth bow head to them, hospital notified bad news. Sky spin earth turn, Tara blocked at door, “Haven’t apologize want go? Don’t want life saving money?” I used all strength slapped her a slap. Julian returned this slap for Tara, fiercely pushed me away. Lower abdomen hit cabinet corner, severe pain accompanied warm dampness instantly spread. Julian looking full floor fresh blood, suddenly white face, crazy like picked me up rush hospital. Child not kept. When surgery light extinguished, Julian knelt bed side slap own face. I stared pale ceiling, there nothing, like that piece suddenly empty in my heart. At funeral I pain almost faint, but flow not a drop tear. Julian accompanied me a long time, didn’t meet with Tara. He tried like before chat with me, but I only quietly sitting, not speak a word. Later he stimulate me, deliberately love with Tara, I also only feel numb. I seem no longer love Julian. Lawyer at this time gave me an investigation report. I flipped material to end, fingertip ice cold, truth more shocking than I thought. Eve Hale family bankruptcy back then, biggest that sum loophole fund flow, terminal account holder is Tara’s father. Material inside also clamped a Paternity Test report.

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