Category: English

“My sister died from bullying. Today, I put on her uniform and wear her face.” “What are you here for?” “Revenge.” 1 That night, the whole family was asleep. The dog suddenly started barking frantically. When I walked into the living room, I smelled blood. Thick, heavy, lingering in the air. The dog was barking at my sister’s bedroom door. Confused, I pushed the door open and saw… My sister, in her pajamas, lying on white sheets soaked in blood. Her arm was ghastly pale, and the blood kept flowing, drop by drop, soaking into the hardwood floor. Her eyes were closed, as if she were asleep. I thought it was a hallucination. I pinched myself hard, but the scene remained. In an instant, I felt like I was in hell. I screamed, “Lily!” But she didn’t react. My parents’ footsteps thundered down the hall. The girl on the bed never woke up. … Lily, my dear sister, was dead. She died in the darkness just before dawn. Cause of death: suicide by cutting her wrists. There were unexplained bruises on her body. That was the first time I felt the pain of losing a loved one. Just last night at dinner, we were laughing and talking. But in the night, she quietly slipped away to another world. Silent and deadly. My mom cried until she nearly passed out. My dad refused to let them close the casket, yet refused cremation. My sister’s body lay in a refrigerated casket in our living room for ten full days. I cried until I was numb, staring only at the blue and purple bruises on her pale skin. Then, amidst the fake tears and hidden smiles of the visitors, I opened her diary. Page by page, I read every word. The things recorded in that diary were like bloodthirsty demons greedily drinking the blood of victory, arrogant to the extreme. The moment I closed the diary, my dad finally agreed to cremation. It happened quickly. In the burning flames, I thought I saw Lily. She smiled at me. That smile was enough to make me risk my life. Because the blood flowing in our veins is the same. … My parents agreed to let me take Lily’s place at school, to help her fulfill her unrealized dreams, or perhaps, they knew something too. The secrets I discovered, my parents might not be unaware of. They chose to acquiesce. Maybe we all needed to do something for my sister. She was an art student at a private high school in a city far away. I was an athlete, attending a public school in our hometown. We were in different schools, but we had the exact same face. Identical twins. She was Lily. I am Lana. Like the lana in a storm, burning with a fire that never dies. … I bought stationery identical to hers, wore her clothes, and with my parents’ farewell, arrived at her school: Saint Jude’s Academy. Lily’s school was beautiful. Clutching her diary, I walked forward heavily. The wind was a bit chilly. I softly recited the contents of the diary. … Page One: March 27. Weather: Sunny. Mood: Bad. Dana wrote “Slut” on my desk and stuffed a lot of trash in my drawer. When I was taking out my books, the sauce from the trash got on them. The math teacher saw it and made me stand in the back of the class, scolding me for not studying properly. Dana jeered. The teacher just lightly scolded her to be quiet. To me, she said: “Lily, you’re useless. Look at you, look at the mess on your desk.” Mood is bad, really want to cry. Tears keep flowing, but I know… Defending myself is useless. They just think I’m troublesome. March 28. Weather: Sunny. Mood: Bad. Someone swapped my uniform with a boy’s and splashed red ink on the back. I washed it all lunch break but couldn’t get it out. I know Faye did it, but I didn’t dare say anything. When I went to the bathroom, I saw my uniform in the corner. My name was written on it. But my name… it smelled so bad. … March 29. Weather: Sunny. Mood: Bad. Someone wrote a love letter claiming I wrote it to the popular guy in the next class. He came to our class and mocked me viciously. I don’t dare look in the mirror. I feel so ugly. But I didn’t write that letter. … March 30. Weather: Sunny. Mood: Bad. In gym class, Dana deliberately threw the basketball at my head and aimed for my stomach. She would say: “Lily, sorry! I didn’t mean to! My bad!” That smile. So pretty. So blinding. So cruel. … March 31. Weather: Sunny. Mood: Bad. My comb is missing, but I don’t dare borrow one. Faye put gum in my hair. I couldn’t pull it out. It hurt so much. Really want to cry, but no strength left to cry. … April 27. Weather: Cloudy. Mood: Bad. They said I stole something, but I didn’t take it. Why is it that bad things must have been done by me? As if anyone can frame me. Can I please not be bullied anymore? Sister, protect me. God, protect me. Protect me just once, please? … May 1. Weather: Sunny. Mood: Happy. Going home. Escaping this hell. I have to be happy so my family thinks I’m doing well. I’m going home! … June 5. Weather: Stormy. Mood: Bad. Dana tore my clothes, took photos, and posted them on the school forum. I’m not a slut. I’m not… But does anyone believe me? … June 8. Weather: Light Rain. Mood: Bad. They finally deleted the photos, but I had to agree to fetch their lunch, clean their tables, get water, run errands, and do their homework every day. Luckily, they finally spared me this time. … June 30. Weather: Sunny. Mood: Bad. My grades have gotten really bad. The homeroom teacher believed the rumors that I was dating and not studying. He told me to reflect on myself. When can I become a better person? I want to sleep well. Not under a damp blanket, but a clean cotton quilt. … July 9. Weather: Sunny. Mood: … Is it time to go home? I’m so tired. Just want to rest. … August 9. Weather: Sunny. Mood: … Is school starting soon… I don’t want to… … August 11. Weather: Sunny. Mood: … I’m leaving. Going to another world. I love Mom and Dad. I love my sister! Goodbye. Don’t miss me! I’m sorry… … The thick diary ended with a pile of blank pages. … When we were little, Lily and I had to sleep in the same bed. Neither of us wanted to be separated. On my birthday, Lily used the allowance she saved for a long time to buy me a pair of Nikes. She knew I loved sweet and sour ribs. She knew everything I liked. I loved her too. Just as much as Mom and Dad loved her. She knew that. We would go to the amusement park just to make her happy. I would make pig noises just to coax her. Knowing her loved ones would be heartbroken, she still chose to leave without looking back. How disappointed, or desperate, must she have been with this world? I don’t know. But I can feel that despair. The despair of no return. Because the blood flowing in our veins is the same. … The warning bell rang. When I walked into the classroom, it was quiet. Probably because it was senior year, the study atmosphere was okay. Lily said she sat in the second to last row. Looking from afar, there were two empty seats in the second to last row. Lily loved cleanliness. I walked straight to that seat, only to hear the class erupt in laughter. A girl pointed at my nose and said, “Lily, are you stupid? Forgot your own seat?” She was wearing makeup. The eyeliner was shaky, and the lipstick looked cheap. I opened the desk. The name written in the books inside was Faye. I didn’t know if it was the girl in front of me. I looked at her. I was a bit nearsighted. I walked closer to read her name tag. Her name was Dana. The Dana from the diary. Seemingly unhappy with me staring at her, Dana raised her eyebrows, stood up, and shoved me. “What are you looking at? Get away, you’re like a plague.” “She is a plague, isn’t she?!” Another girl chimed in, not even looking at me, constantly checking herself in a mirror. I smiled, didn’t answer, and walked to that filthy seat. It was full of trash and waste paper, with abusive words carved into the desk. My hands trembled slightly. Anger instantly invaded my heart. What did my sister go through? What did she do wrong… Thinking of her pale arm that night, her resolute expression, I suddenly felt a twinge. Then, I sat quietly. Like Lily, but not like her. I am cold-blooded, rational enough; I am vicious, fierce enough. At the bottom of the first page of her diary, I wrote heavily: “My sister died from school bullying. Today, I put on her uniform, wearing her exact face.” “Why did I come?” “For revenge.” 2 My seat was like a public dump, constantly stuffed with various trash bags. Greasy wrappers. Disgusting. Just back from the restroom, the desk was already full of all kinds of snack wrappers. Red oil dripped from them, inevitably soaking into the books, emitting a foul stench. Does throwing it here reduce pollution and protect the environment? I didn’t think so. I stood in front of the podium. Lily always liked to swallow her pride. She would clean up the mess, swallow all the grievances. But I wasn’t afraid. Yes, I wasn’t afraid. We are children of ordinary families, with no power or status. But I knew there was an institution representing justice that could help me. I came here just to collect evidence. They looked at each other below, puzzled that I didn’t cry and go back to clean up the mess today. Class was about to start. They began to panic. I remained motionless. Faye stood up and slapped the table, frowning and shouting, “Lily, go back to your seat, okay? Class is starting. The teacher is coming.” The students below laughed uproariously. Dana mocked sarcastically, “She thinks she’s precious. Outsiders look down on us! Doesn’t even deign to talk to you. So high and mighty!” She seemed completely unaware of how hurtful her words were. She calmly drank water, turned her head, and playfully fought with others again. Sentence after sentence, harsh words pierced the heart like knives. When pulled out, they drained the blood. When the math teacher walked in, I was still standing on the podium. She skillfully put down her textbook and turned to ask me, “Lily, why aren’t you in your seat?” “I don’t know who put a bunch of mess on my desk.” I answered, staring straight at her. I wanted to experience everything. Experience Lily’s despair, experience her tears when helpless. Me, Mom, Dad, we tried so hard to teach her to love this world. But you killed her courage to live, without a shred of remorse. The math teacher pushed her glasses up. A hint of disdain flashed in her eyes. She muttered, “Go back to your seat. We’ll talk after class.” To me, or rather to Lily, she only had these few words. As if the wrongdoers deserved forgiveness. “Teacher, I can’t sit in my seat.” Curling my lips, I spat out a few words lightly. These light words were courage Lily would never have had. I am much taller than Lily, and my voice is coarser. Why did no one notice the difference? Perhaps because she was ostracized so much, everything about Lily became irrelevant in the eyes of others. Fortunately, this is a private school. Backgrounds like ours are never noticed. Otherwise, the fact that Lily had a twin sister wouldn’t be unknown. Then my roleplay would be much harder. But look, now, I don’t even need to deliberately imitate her because no one pays attention to her. The math teacher looked at me with an unusual expression. For the first time, she wanted to walk over and see Lily’s seat. Second to last row, the seat most easily ignored, the seat of the girl who always kept her head down. When unnatural emotions breed, only eyes convey the most sincere message. Just as she was about to walk over, Dana stood up. “Teacher, the class monitor told her to go back. She’s just being maverick, acting like we won’t let her sit down. Lily, go back to your seat! We’re waiting for class!” A few short sentences attributed everything to just jokes between students. The playful tone seemed to solve all absurdity. Hearing this, the math teacher smiled disdainfully again, attributing everything to student mischief. Her tone became strict: “Lily, it’s a critical time now. Can you focus on your studies? Go back to your seat quickly!” “Teacher, I can’t sit in my seat; Teacher, can you walk a few more steps back?” I begged her to look at my seat, to see how messy it was. The pleading tone felt like a command. I screamed in my heart, can you walk a few more steps? Just a few steps, and you can see how people in the gutter struggle to live. When did the classroom become a zone of severe hierarchy? Students in the front row rightfully enjoy the glory of being role models. Students with superior looks playfully turn the despair inflicted on others into joy. And the people in the gutter are like being in a water dungeon, looking at the formulas on the blackboard that could save them, yet losing their lives in others’ joy. “Teacher, a few more steps, please?” I begged her again. Why, why not walk a few more steps? Why let my sister suffer? Why, why are you the students’ light, but failed to shine on my sister? That gaze, hollow yet shining with determination, moved her. I watched Dana’s eyes become nervous. Step by step, it was like stepping into hell’s gate. In the long classroom, with so many students, she looked at them one by one, yet felt they were strangers. The foul smell made one want to vomit… Those trash bags were buried behind the high-held heads of the front-row students, buried in laughter. Maybe she would never discover it. As long as I continued to endure and return to my seat, continued to take out books and study “The highest good is like water,” everything would be buried in time again, leaving my sister buried in the yellow earth. The sister who could laugh and be mischievous, the sister who remembered all my hobbies, the sister who said she would be the first to hug me after I won the championship. What was left for you was happiness, right? What about us? Endless pain and darkness, tearing at the heart like claws and teeth… I didn’t want to cry, but I missed my sister. The students in the front row blocked her seat. The back row was a blind spot for cameras. In this school where grades are everything, no one cares about a girl in the gutter who can’t see the sun. How loud must the sound of reading be to cover the trembling heart? “Who did this?” The math teacher finally stopped. She choked a little, swallowed a breath, and asked again. The class suddenly became quiet, leaving only the sound of chairs scraping. Not a single person admitted it. Admitted they were accomplices. She continued to ask, “Who did this?” The tone was unkind; anyone could hear it. I wiped away my tears frankly. This was just the beginning. Dana raised her hand tremblingly, saying apologetically: “Teacher, I accidentally put the trash bag there. I told Lily to help me throw it away!” She hinted at me frantically, quite threateningly. I tilted my head and mocked, “I don’t remember you ever saying that to me.” “You filled my desk with trash. My textbooks are stained. My desk is carved with disgusting words everywhere. You did all this without my permission.” “I never joked like this with them, and never, ever said I allowed them to put trash here.” Resounding, like stones, accusing them of everything they did. But this was far from enough. The math teacher held her breath. A teacher cannot be humiliated. “I will tell your homeroom teacher. Lily, come to the office with me.” She carried her book and walked back to the front row step by step. Dana threw me a look, threatening and scary. She threw her book on the ground in anger. I looked at her provocatively, smiling, smiling very dashingly. Walking up to Dana, I whispered: “Who told you there’s no retribution for doing such things? There is cause and effect in the world. Everything cycles eventually. The principle the world has cycled countless times always says one thing: If you do evil, you will destroy yourself.” “Dana, your retribution is coming.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390742”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

The night my husband was hosting a tribute dinner for his mentor, I tracked the party down and walked right in. Every face in the room turned to stone, and I knew exactly what they were thinking: She’s here to catch him. A low buzz of judgment started up immediately, and an older gentleman—a well-meaning peacemaker—stepped in front of me. “Harper, honey, it’s not what you think. It’s a huge night, let’s not make a scene, alright?” Hudson’s face was a mask of furious, mortified red. His voice was a tight, cold hiss. “What in God’s name are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you there was nothing going on with Phoebe?” I gave him the softest, most polite smile I could manage. “I’m here to do exactly what you and your little protégé are doing.” I tipped my head to the event staff, confirmed my substantial gift was delivered to Chef Moreau, and then gave the room a dismissive nod. “Mission accomplished. I’ll be leaving now.” As I passed Hudson’s junior colleague, Phoebe Wells, I paused and let my eyes rake over her. “I hope, darling, that you enjoy your performance. You’re wearing my grandmother’s legacy. Make it count.” It was Chef Laurent Moreau’s sixtieth birthday gala. Hudson and Phoebe were part of the same maître lineage, so yes, it was technically normal for him to attend with her and not me. I had planned to stay home. To suck it up, as I had done for five years. … But before I left, I saw Phoebe’s Instagram story. She was wearing a bespoke, vintage silk robe—the one my grandmother, a renowned textile artist, had designed and worn for her first major exhibition. It had an intricate, hand-stitched floral motif. Phoebe wore the robe, along with an ancient, delicate silver headpiece, standing beside Hudson. She was all wide-eyed, fragile innocence, beaming up at him. The caption read: “First time on such a big stage. So safe with my mentor here.” In the photo, Hudson was leaning over her, his expression soft, his long fingers adjusting the silk collar. It was a look of care and tenderness I hadn’t seen directed at me in years. That robe was the only tangible thing I had left of my grandmother. It was everything. The black Bentley pulled up near the curb. I looked up. Hudson had followed me out. His face was glacial. “Harper, have you had your fun yet?” The night air was sharp and cold. I opened the passenger door and slid into the seat. Hudson’s profile was rigid, his jaw clenched so hard I could see his throat move. It betrayed his rage more than his words did. Five years of marriage, and I felt like I was seeing him clearly, calmly, for the first time. “I’ve thought it through,” I said softly. “Hudson,” I turned away from him, staring out the window. “Let’s call it.” The silence that followed was suffocating. “The reason.” His hands gripped the steering wheel. I couldn’t detect any emotion in his voice, only command. “Give me a reason why you’re having one of your episodes again.” I laughed, a short, hollow sound. It was absurd. I pointed to the rearview mirror. There was a small, white sports car that had followed us, keeping a respectful distance. “I’m guessing it won’t take ten seconds,” I said. “Before someone rushes in to explain it for you.” I watched the mirror and began to count. “Ten.” “Nine.” “Eight.” At seven, the door of the sports car flew open. A slim figure sprinted toward us, her voice already laced with a hysterical cry. “Hudson! Harper! Please, don’t fight!” Phoebe ripped the driver’s side door open and looked at me with red-rimmed eyes. “Harper, I truly didn’t mean to! Chef Moreau insisted I present, and my own ensemble had a stain. Hudson said I could borrow that one. I didn’t know it was… that important to you. I swear I didn’t know.” “This is all my fault! Please, don’t take it out on Hudson. I beg you.” She grabbed my hand, then lifted it, preparing to slap herself. “If this makes it better,” she sobbed, tears streaming down her face, “hit me.” “Go ahead. Hit me to get it out of your system.” She was guiding my hand toward her cheek. Hudson’s voice was like ice. “Harper, where is your composure? Did your mother teach you nothing?” I felt a surge of hysterical laughter. See? I don’t have to lift a finger, and I’m already the villain. I snatched my hand back, meeting Hudson’s eyes, which were alight with thin anger. “Do you get it now?” “Hudson,” I didn’t feel heartbreak, just a cold, paralyzing numbness. I unbuckled my seatbelt. “That’s the reason.” “I want a divorce.” I pushed the door open, flashing a tight, genuine smile at Phoebe, whose shock barely masked her triumphant flicker. “Congratulations, Phoebe.” “After all these years—meticulously inserting yourself into every corner of our lives—you’re about to win.” “You can have him. I’m done.” I turned to walk away, but his hand clamped around my wrist, a vise of pure adrenaline and fury. “Harper, what the hell is this insanity? You’re ending our marriage over a piece of clothing?” “Do you know what important meeting I ditched just to rush home and appease you? And this is how you treat me?” “You constantly attack Phoebe, and she’s the one who always tries to mediate and tell me to be more patient with you! Don’t be so ungrateful!” The pain in my wrist made me wince. “Let go!” I yanked my arm away, watching the red marks bloom instantly on my skin. Then, I raised my hand and swung my entire weight into the slap. The sound was shockingly loud in the quiet night. “Hudson Blake!” “I am done tolerating you!” Eight years together, five years married. This was the first time I had ever embarrassed him in public. I didn’t care anymore. I stared at his stunned face, speaking slowly, deliberately. “On my grandmother’s death anniversary, you were with Phoebe, lighting candles at a monastery.” “When I was in the ER with acute gastritis, you were with Phoebe, pulling an all-nighter on her thesis.” “Every single time I have ever needed you, you were with your goddamn mentee!” “And today!” I pointed at the girl who was still dramatically weeping behind him. “You let her wear my grandmother’s only remaining keepsake—a symbol of everything I lost—on stage for her standing ovation!” “And when you saw that silk tear because it didn’t fit her right, you casually dismissed it as ‘just an old thing’!” “Hudson!” “We are finished.” I realized I was crying—full, ugly tears—only after the last word left my lips. I thought I was past crying for him. Hudson’s face shifted through shock, a flash of guilt, and finally, settling on an irritated defensiveness. “I didn’t know that was your grandmother’s anniversary! Chef Moreau’s event is non-negotiable! And Phoebe’s thesis was crucial to her career—I was being a supportive mentor! Why do you always have to make everything so ugly?” He looked at me with profound disappointment. “Harper, when did you become so petty? So unreasonable?” “No man is going to love you like this!” He was right. No man would love me like this. I was barely recognizing this hysterical, frantic woman myself. The tears fell, hot and unstoppable. “Then,” I choked out, “I don’t need your love anymore.” I wiped my eyes and turned to leave. But Phoebe seized my hand again. She cried with me, her grief appearing even more debilitating than mine. “Harper, please don’t do this. Hudson loves you. He really does.” “It’s my fault, I promise! I’ll apply for a fellowship abroad tomorrow! I’ll never see him again! Just please, don’t leave him!” Her pathetic fragility was my least favorite performance. Watching her cry somehow stopped my own tears. I violently shook her hand off and spat out a single word. “Get lost.” Phoebe stumbled back, falling hard onto the asphalt, looking up at me in wide-eyed, wounded innocence. “Harper!” Hudson instantly moved, rushing to pull Phoebe up. When he saw her hand was scraped, he turned and yelled at me. “Are you insane? Apologize to Phoebe!” “In your dreams.” I looked at him, then at the calculating smirk that flashed in Phoebe’s eyes as she hid in his embrace, and gave him my final ultimatum. “Hudson Blake, if you contest this, we’ll meet in court.” I didn’t look back. Behind me, I heard Phoebe’s muffled sobs, Hudson’s low, comforting assurances, and a final, clear sentence: “She’s completely lost it.” I hailed a taxi and went straight to my best friend, Jada’s, place. Jada didn’t ask a single question. She opened the door, let me in, walked to her bar cart, and pulled out a dozen bottles of various liquor—whiskey, vodka, tequila—and arranged them on the coffee table. She only asked one thing. “Is this enough?” I looked at her, and my eyes welled up instantly. Jada sighed and opened her arms. “Come here, sweetie.” I collapsed into her embrace, sobbing until my throat was raw, my body shaking, until I finally had to rush to the bathroom to throw up. When I stumbled back out, I collapsed on the couch. “I’m divorcing him.” “Jada, I’m getting a divorce.” “And I’m going to make Hudson regret everything.” What is love taken to its limit? It’s when the man you thought would be your safe harbor actively tramples on everything you hold sacred, then blames you for not being generous enough. It’s when the love you thought was unbreakable finally shatters into dust after years of gradual erosion and disappointment. I stayed at Jada’s for two weeks. Hudson didn’t contact me. Not a call, not a text. Phoebe’s social media, however, was updated with manic frequency. And every post had Hudson in the background. [Met so many industry legends today. A little nervous, but felt so safe with my mentor.] The picture was from a culinary institute’s private backstage area. Phoebe smiled shyly, and Hudson was in the back, talking earnestly to a renowned veteran chef. [Home-cooked late-night snack from my mentor just wiped away all the exhaustion.] The photo showed a beautifully plated bowl of udon noodles. Next to it, a clearly visible, strong, masculine hand rested on the table—the hand still wearing the simple platinum wedding band I’d bought him. [Must keep up my practice, even on the road.] The photo was a selfie in a hotel practice kitchen. Phoebe, in her chef’s whites, was posing, but the mirror reflection clearly showed Hudson, in a tailored suit, sitting nearby, reading. One post after another. Jada nearly crushed her phone in her hand. She pointed furiously at the screen. “Are you kidding me? This girl has ‘I’m about to steal your husband’ written all over her face! Is Hudson blind? How can he not see this?” Jada was hopping mad, but I felt strangely calm. I had passed the point of agonizing pain. I just offered a detached assessment. “He sees it just fine.” “Bullshit!” Jada sat next to me. “Then why is he enabling this little bitch?” “In his mind, as long as he hasn’t physically crossed the line, it doesn’t count.” Hudson always clung to his ridiculous moral high ground. Whenever I confronted him, he always had a ready defense. “Phoebe and I are strictly professional. You’re just twisted, seeing dirt where there is none.” Looking back on those words now, my heart was still. “The movers will be here soon,” I reminded Jada. If I was getting divorced, I needed to retrieve my personal belongings, especially the few antiques left by my grandmother. They were all still at the house. “Okay. Good. You’re making the right call.” Jada drove back with me. I assumed Hudson was still out of town on business. But the moment I unlocked the front door, I smelled dinner—the scent of his famous tangy, sweet spareribs. I took off my shoes and walked in. Phoebe was sitting at the dining table in my favorite cashmere loungewear, openly eating the dish Hudson had made. Seeing me, Phoebe froze, looking like a child caught in the act. She jumped up immediately. “Harper.” Her voice was barely a whisper. Hudson walked out of the kitchen, holding a pot of soup. The smile on his face vanished when he saw me. He cleared his throat awkwardly. “You’re back? Did you eat?” I ignored him, walking straight to the master bedroom. I stopped dead in the doorway. My dresser was ransacked. Jewelry boxes were open, and necklaces spilled out. The bed was disheveled. The closet door was ajar, and the small safe hidden in the back—the door was wide open. A cold dread washed over me. I rushed to the safe. It was empty. “Harper…” Phoebe followed me in, her voice small. “I’m so sorry. I… I accidentally lost a pair of your earrings a few days ago, and I was trying to find a matching set to replace them.” “And I… accidentally opened the safe…” My head spun. I whipped around. She was wearing a delicate, custom-made vintage emerald necklace on her wrist—the one my grandmother had given me, an irreplaceable antique. Now, the chain was broken. The tiny, precious emeralds were scattered across the floor, and Phoebe held only a few broken shards in her hand. “I swear I didn’t mean to.” “Harper, please!” Phoebe suddenly lunged at me, falling to her knees and grasping my arms, sobbing. “I beg you to forgive me!” “I didn’t know it was your grandmother’s! I really didn’t!” She held onto me tightly. “Hit me, Harper!” “Please!” “Just hit me, so I can feel less horrible about myself!” As she spoke, she tried to lower her head to bang it on the floor. A hand shot out between us, catching her forehead just in time. Hudson gently pulled the shaking Phoebe away from me, sheltering her behind his back. He looked at me with an air of detached superiority. “The person is gone. It’s just an object, a relic. You don’t need to terrorize a living person over a relic, Harper. Phoebe is remorseful.” His tone was dismissive, as if the destruction was nothing more than an inconvenient spill. And I was the aggressive, overreacting lunatic. He stood there, her protector, shielding her completely. “Just leave her alone. She’s already devastated.” I couldn’t speak. As long as Phoebe played this pitiful, fragile role, I would always be wrong. From her “accidentally” tearing my robe, to her “accidentally” losing my jewelry, to this moment—her “accidentally” smashing the last physical link I had to my grandmother. Hudson always told me to forgive, to be the bigger person. My mind went blank. My throat constricted. The tremor in my fingertips was the only sign of my rising storm. I looked at Phoebe, still sniffling and hiding in Hudson’s arms, but with a barely concealed glint of smugness in her eyes. I smiled. I took one step toward her. Right in front of Hudson, I lunged, grabbed a fistful of Phoebe’s hair, and slammed her head against the nearest wall. “Ah—!” As Phoebe screamed in shock, I kicked her in the knee. She lost her balance and dropped heavily, this time genuinely kneeling on the floor before me. “That’s not how you beg for forgiveness.” I planted my foot on her shoulder, pinning her down. With the hand still tangled in her hair, I brutally forced her head down to the ground. Thud. I heard Phoebe let out a choked gasp of pain and saw blood immediately seep from her temple. I leaned down and whispered, my voice ragged, for only the three of us to hear. “That is how you beg.” My eyes were burning red. I was about to hit her head again, but Hudson’s hand wrapped around my wrist, his grip iron-hard. He tried to yank my arm away, his face dark with rage. “Let go!” “Never.” Hudson used his other hand, prying my fingers open one by one. My fingernails dug into his skin, but he ignored the pain, relentlessly peeling my grip away. “Harper, don’t push this too far!” Too far? I looked at Hudson, my anger turning into a maniacal laugh. “You and her are too far, you cheating bastards!” “If you want to protect her so badly!” “Fine!” Ignoring the agonizing pressure on my fingers, I broke free just long enough to use every ounce of my strength to deliver a vicious backhand across Phoebe’s face. My nails raked across her delicate skin, leaving several clear, bleeding gashes. The pain of my chipped nails was nothing compared to the satisfaction of watching the face she flaunted on social media every day be momentarily destroyed. Phoebe completely lost it, screaming in terror and clutching her face. I just laughed. “You know what that is?” “That’s karma, bitch!” “Let me tell you something, Hudson,” I glared at his incredulous face, then down at the shrieking Phoebe. “I have never been a good person! You should have known that!” “You have finally messed with the wrong woman!” “I promise you both this!” “This is far from over!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390761”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

Before we married, my husband, Caleb Thorne, had a girl who chased him relentlessly for five years. He rejected her because he fell in love with me at first sight. Three years later, that girl returned to the States as an internationally acclaimed photographer. She was radiant, successful, and breathtakingly beautiful. And me? I was a stay-at-home mom, weighing over 180 pounds, with zero achievements to my name. At a party, someone joked with Caleb: “You know, Serena Vance is still saving herself for you…” Caleb immediately snapped, “Don’t talk nonsense!” But that night… I found him on the balcony, chain-smoking until dawn. 1 I was changing my daughter’s diaper when Caleb dropped the news that Serena was back. My hand froze. “Is she going to be at the party tonight?” Caleb buttoned his cufflink, avoiding my gaze. “Yeah. It’s a welcome-back dinner for her, hosted by Ryan, her childhood friend.” “Are you coming?” he asked, purely out of habit. Since giving birth, I rarely went out with him. My world had shrunk to the four walls of our nursery. He expected me to say no. But for some reason, the words that came out of my mouth were: “Yes. I’ll go.” Caleb paused, surprised. But he was a man who prided himself on decorum. He masked his shock quickly. “Okay. I’ll wait for you downstairs.” When we walked into the private dining room at the upscale bistro, the chatter died instantly. At the center of the room sat a woman with long, flowing hair and an aura of effortless elegance. She tilted her head, her gaze locking onto us. “Caleb. Long time no see.” Her voice was bright and melodic. Caleb glanced at her, smiled politely, and placed a protective hand on my shoulder. “Serena. Don’t you recognize your sister-in-law?” Serena blinked. “Oh! Sorry, I didn’t recognize her at first. Hi, Lily.” I nodded with a faint smile. “Hello.” Before I could finish, Serena looked away, her eyes slightly red. “Can you blame her?” Ryan, the wealthy heir and Serena’s fiercely loyal friend, drawled from the corner. His eyes swept over me with thinly veiled disdain. “Lily has… changed a lot.” My face burned. I tugged at the hem of my shirt. Post-pregnancy, I had ballooned from a size 2 to a size 14. My once-slender frame was now heavy, my face round and puffy. It was the reason I hid from the world. “Watch your mouth, Ryan!” Caleb grabbed a lighter from the table and tossed it at his friend. Ryan caught it, smirked at me, and downed his drink. “Fine, fine. My bad. I’ll drink to apologize.” The conversation quickly shifted back to Serena. Everyone wanted to know about her life abroad. She was now a famous photographer. Her recent portfolio on African wildlife had just won a prestigious international award. “Remember when Serena used to chase Caleb around with a camera?” someone laughed. “Now she’s a big-shot artist and an influencer! She just launched her Instagram and already has 100k followers!” “Serena, you look incredible. I almost didn’t recognize you. I thought a supermodel had walked in!” Serena soaked up the praise with a graceful smile. She held a slim cigarette between her fingers, her leather jacket draped over her shoulders, revealing a figure that was sharp, sexy, and free. I looked down at myself. Flat shoes. Wide-leg pants. An oversized blazer I had frantically dug out of the back of my closet because nothing else fit. In front of this group of polished, successful young elites, I looked like a joke. 2 My mind drifted back three years. I remembered Serena crying in front of me: “Lily, just let me have him! I loved him first! You have so many guys chasing you, why do you have to take Caleb?” I was soft-hearted by nature. High empathy, low conflict. I hated fighting, especially over a man. I had actually considered breaking up with Caleb. We hadn’t been dating long. But Caleb, usually so calm, had turned red with rage. He dragged Serena in front of me and shouted: “I don’t love you! I will never love you! I only love Lily! Stop interfering in my life!” Serena had crashed her car that night, distraught. She spent two weeks in the hospital. Ryan had called Caleb, screaming at him, but Caleb never visited her once. Back then, everyone saw me as the winner. The queen of this love triangle. And now? I felt like I was sitting on pins and needles. I wanted to leave, but when I looked at Caleb, his eyes were fixed on Serena. She had taken off her jacket, revealing a toned waist and sculpted arms. She was telling a story about her travels. “On the savannah, I watched a lion take down a gazelle. In that moment, I felt the raw power of life and death.” Amidst the gasps of admiration, Caleb spoke suddenly. “Sounds like you didn’t waste your time out there.” Serena turned to him, her smile radiant. “I didn’t.” Caleb fell silent, looking down at his drink. I felt suffocated. I excused myself to the restroom. On my way back, I passed the terrace. Caleb was there, smoking with a few of the guys. “Serena is out of our league now,” one guy said. “Caleb, be honest. You were so cold to her back then. Do you regret it? Even a little?” Caleb’s voice was flat. “Being cold was the kindest thing I could do. Look at her now. She’s successful. I didn’t hold her back. So stop talking nonsense.” “True. It’s all in the past. Besides, Lily keeps you on a tight leash now. She never goes out, but she came tonight? Ha! She’s probably terrified you’ll cheat.” The guys laughed and went back inside, leaving Caleb and Ryan alone. Ryan chuckled darkly. “You know… Serena is still a virgin. She saved herself for you.” Silence. “Shut up!” Caleb snapped. 3 When we got home, my mother-in-law was holding the baby on the sofa, her face sour. Caleb muttered something about work and went straight to his study. His mother glared at his retreating back, then turned on me. “Lily, you’re a mother now. The baby only wants you. Why do you need to go out? Didn’t you think about her needing to eat? How can you come home this late?” My sister-in-law, Ava, was lounging on the chaise, playing a mobile game. “God, Lily, that outfit is way too tight. You look like a stuffed sausage,” she drawled. Ava prided herself on being “brutally honest.” My daughter saw me and immediately started wailing, kicking her legs. “Mommy! Milk! Milk!” I rushed to pick her up and ran upstairs to nurse. As the baby drifted off to sleep, the nanny walked in with a bowl of pigeon soup. Huge chunks of white fat floated on the surface. The smell made me gag. “Take it away. I can’t drink it today.” The nanny’s face was stone. “Your mother-in-law ordered it. If you don’t drink it, I have to tell her.” I went silent. My mother-in-law insisted I breastfeed until the baby was two. To “boost supply,” she forced me to drink fatty, unseasoned soups every day. I had tried to refuse before, but she would launch into passive-aggressive tirades that gave me migraines. The headache was worse than the soup. I held my nose and chugged the greasy liquid, swallowing the chunks of meat like pills. The nanny took the empty bowl and left. That night, I woke up with stomach cramps. I reached for Caleb, but his side of the bed was empty. I looked out the window. Caleb was on the balcony, smoking. He was staring into the night sky, lost in thought. 4 Life returned to its monotonous rhythm. I spent most of my time on the second floor with the baby, avoiding my mother-in-law’s nagging and Ava’s snide comments. Caring for a child consumed every second of my day. It was repetitive and exhausting, but it was safe. It stopped me from thinking. It stopped me from changing. My only joy was watching my daughter grow. She would be two in a couple of months. One night, Caleb mentioned casually: “The gallery is hosting Serena’s photography exhibition. I might be busy for a while.” It took me a moment to process. My brain had become slow. If they were hosting the exhibition, that meant they had already met multiple times to plan it. As the gallery director, Caleb must have seen Serena at least ten times. I stayed silent for a long time. But the pressure in my chest finally burst. “Why her? You know how she feels about you. She’s been sending gifts to the house for years. Shouldn’t you avoid her?” “Enough!” Caleb barked. “Stop being ridiculous! Serena won an international award. Every gallery in the city wants her! It’s just business, Lily. Since when did you become a jealous, irrational housewife?” He looked at me with deep disappointment and coldness. I froze. I caught my reflection in the mirror. Bloated. Tired. There was a yellow stain on my pajama pants—baby poop I hadn’t had time to clean. Shame washed over me. I wanted to disappear under the covers. But I stood my ground. I didn’t argue about Serena. I asked a different question. “You promised we would move out when the baby turned two. Is that still happening?” Caleb’s brow furrowed. Impatience flashed across his face. “I don’t understand you. Why can’t you just be happy? My mom, my sister, the nanny—they all help you with the kid. What is so bad about living here?” I shook my head slowly. “The nanny only cooks. Your mom holds the baby for ten minutes when you come home. Your sister hates it when she cries.” Caleb’s voice dropped dangerously low. “Lily, are you badmouthing my family? You don’t have to work. You just feed the baby and play with her. Isn’t that every mother’s dream?” I looked at the floor. “It’s a dream,” I whispered. “But I’m not happy.” Caleb ignored me and went into the closet to change. Before we slept, he spoke into the darkness. “You know the deal with Serena. If something was going to happen between us, it would have happened years ago. You wouldn’t even be in the picture.” “And stop complaining about my family. They don’t owe you anything.” 5 After that fight, Caleb bought me diamond earrings and wired $30,000 to my parents. That was his way. Hurt me with words, heal me with money. “Lily, I know my mom can be intense. But I’m the one living with you. Just tolerate it for me, okay?” He kissed me tenderly. My mom called, overjoyed about the money. “You’re so lucky, Lily! You married a good man. Keep him happy. You were always the obedient one, not like your useless brother.” At the playground, the other moms envied me. “Husband with a great job, rich in-laws, a nanny… you’re living the dream.” I started eating uncontrollably. Sweet, salty, soft, hard—I stuffed everything into my mouth. Not because I was hungry, but because I needed to feel full. While I breastfed in my oversized pajamas, Ava sneered at me while on the phone with her boyfriend. “I’ll never be a useless trophy wife. I’m going to be an independent woman!” I didn’t want to be home. I took the baby to the mall every day just to escape. One afternoon, I saw Caleb and Serena. They were doing a promotional interview for the exhibition in the mall atrium. I stood at the back of the crowd with the stroller. On stage, they sat close, knees almost touching. Caleb looked dapper in a suit. Serena wore a black off-shoulder dress, looking like a movie star. “What is your most unforgettable memory? No lying!” the interviewer asked. Serena smiled. “When I was in a war zone, risking my life for a shot, I got a text from someone. He told me to stay safe. That text made me move locations, and I missed an airstrike by minutes.” The crowd applauded. It was Caleb’s turn. He paused, then said: “The day before my wedding.” The reporter laughed. “Cold feet? You must have a happy marriage!” Serena turned and stared at Caleb, her eyes shimmering with emotion. My eyes fell on her neck. She was wearing a dazzling diamond necklace. The center stone matched my new earrings perfectly. I couldn’t breathe. I turned the stroller around and walked away fast. Ryan stepped in front of me, blocking my path. “Leaving without saying hi?” I forced a smile. “Baby needs a nap. Excuse me, Ryan.” He didn’t move. He scoffed. “Uncomfortable seeing them together? They look good, don’t they? If you go up there now—” He stopped. His face changed. “Why are you crying?” “I… just dust in my eye.” I wiped my face and hurried away. I felt a gaze burning into my back as I left. 6 That night, Caleb came home tipsy. When he tried to kiss me, I turned away and noticed a small cut on his upper lip. “What happened to your lip?” “Oh, bit it while eating.” “You bit your upper lip while eating?” I leaned back against the headboard, watching him. His face darkened. “Lily, stop overanalyzing everything. I’m exhausted. I met a lot of people today. I don’t have the energy to baby you.” “…” “Go sleep in the guest room,” I said quietly. He frowned. “What?” For two years, his mother had tried to separate us at night so the baby wouldn’t disturb his sleep. I had always refused. It was the one boundary I kept. Now, I looked at the duvet cover and said calmly: “The baby is teething and fussy. You need your rest. Sleep in the guest room.” “Fine.” He laughed coldly. “Honestly, with the way you look now, it’s a struggle for me anyway. Thanks for understanding.” The door slammed. Silence. I picked up my phone. On the screen was the brand website for the diamond necklace. In the corner, a small graphic read: Gift with Purchase: Matching Diamond Earrings. I closed the tab and opened a livestream app. “Serena’s World” was live. Serena was on camera, cheeks flushed, eyes glassy with drink. Comments: [You look happy! New romance?] Serena giggled. “Not yet. But I got what I wanted today.” [Spill the tea!] “Okay, okay! You know I’m wild. The craziest thing I ever did was offer myself to the man I loved… the night before his wedding.” [OMG!] [Did you do it?] Serena stroked her hair. “He rejected me then. He chose someone else. But today… he showed me he regrets it. He regrets it so much.” She ran a finger over her red lips. [It’s not too late! Go get him!] [But he’s married…] Serena rolled her eyes. “The woman he’s with? I used to think she was okay. Now? She’s beneath me. And don’t worry, I won’t be the ‘other woman’.” [So you’re giving up?] “Never. I don’t give up.” She narrowed her eyes, smiling like a cat. “Stealing is boring. I want him to beg. I want him to crawl to me. That’s a real woman’s power.” … I stared into the mirror at the bloated, tired woman reflected there. Outside, thunder rumbled. The first autumn rain was coming. The nanny barged in without knocking. “Lily, drink your soup.” I didn’t move. “Come on! I want to watch my show!” she snapped. I turned slowly. “I’m not drinking it.” Her eyebrows shot up. “Then I’m telling your mother-in-law!” I smiled. My voice was soft as velvet. “Go ahead, you old hag. Go tell her.” Her jaw dropped. “Oh, and next time you enter without knocking, I’ll report you to the police for stealing the old lady’s gold earrings. Your son is applying for a government job, right? A criminal record in the family would be… unfortunate.” Her eyes bulged. She stared at me for a few seconds, then scrambled out of the room. She closed the door very gently behind her.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390777”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

At 29, my seven-year marriage with Caleb Sterling finally shattered. On the way to divorce, I cried and cursed him: “I’ve been with you since I was 17, and now you cheat?! Caleb, are you cheap?” He sneered: “Aren’t you cheap? Sleeping with a man at seventeen.” I trembled all over, next second, a big truck rushed straight at us! When I woke up again, I found myself back in the rental apartment I lived in at 17. That rental apartment I dropped out of school to live in with Caleb. Chapter 1 Dust floated in the sunlight. Surroundings cramped and narrow, with a unique moldy smell. The full-size bed was covered with a teddy bear sheet bought from the wholesale market, washed white. I froze for a while, touching my face in the mirror. I actually went back to 17. Strange, obviously didn’t feel bitter before. Looking back now, curious how I persisted those years. Caleb lost both parents since childhood, grew up with grandma. After grandma left, he grew up roaring like wild grass alone. But he could fight, bold, soon became the famous bad boy in our district. My parents are both university professors. Although family not very rich, but considered well-off. Parents planned a stable and proper life for me long ago. Logically, Caleb and I shouldn’t have any intersection. Until once I went home, passed by him fighting with a group of hooligans. I still remember the boy lying in the snow frowning eyes closed panting heavily, only wearing a black hoodie, blood spots under body. I should have left immediately pretending not seeing, but seeing his school uniform pants realizing we were schoolmates, I softened. Called 911, hesitated a moment, squatted beside him, took off my white down jacket covering him. “Hey… are you okay?” Fair-skinned boy lifted eyelids looked at me. “You not afraid?” I whispered: “I am also from High School No. 3, we are schoolmates.” Paused, I gathered courage: “Fighting is wrong, don’t fight anymore.” He pulled corner of mouth, sneered, then moved fingers. I thought he would throw my clothes away, didn’t expect he closed eyes soon, didn’t move or speak again. That day I squatted like this helping him block snow, until ambulance came, and paid $280 ambulance fee for him. This matter passed quickly. Just when I almost forgot that day, Caleb came to class looking for me. Amidst exclamations, he ignored all teachers and classmates, strode to me, put $300 on my desk, raised eyebrow: “Money from that day, return you.” “Also, thanks.” After he left, good friends reminded me one after another: “How do you know Caleb? He mixes with society, heard watches scene in night club, my brother said he chopped people, be careful!” Also girls excitedly leaned over: “You know Caleb? He so handsome, can you introduce us?!” I was confused until school over. On way home suddenly stopped by a roaring motorcycle. I was startled. Black helmet taken off by a pair of slender hands, revealing boy’s beautiful phoenix eyes. Caleb showed me a cynical smile: “Hey, good student, get on.” “Take you to play.” Behind him followed a group of brothers, showing meaningful smiles one after another. “Brother Caleb, this one too good, boring.” “Yeah, vocational school flower is exciting, that small leather skirt, small butt twisting!” I was scared bad, dared not speak, lowered head quickly bypassed him trotting away. Behind came group laughter. … At that time, I really annoyed Caleb, felt he was a hooligan, not same way with me. But he kept coming to find me endlessly, every day after school followed me sending me home. Until once I on duty went back late, met a drunk man harassing me in alley, Caleb suddenly came out smashed a fist on that man’s face, coldly said: “Roll.” I soul not settled, he took off jacket on body wrapped me: “Don’t fear, I’m here.” That night he sent me home all way, until I went upstairs looked back. Under street lamp, Caleb stood there looking at me all along. Chapter 2 Teenagers’ feelings come faster and hotter than midsummer rain. Caleb and I naturally fell in love, also naturally discovered puppy love by teacher called parents. Always loving parents furious, forced me kneel on ground break up with him, locked me at home not letting out. But I loved Caleb. First seventeen years of life, parents always strict with me. Still remember once I scored 98, happily took paper home. Waiting for me not praise, but questioning why that 2 points lost where, and punishment kneeling. These years I walked step by step under parents’ high pressure, being a so-called good girl. Caleb was someone never appeared in my world, broke my life’s shell, pulled me out, saw this bizarre and colorful world. He took me skipping class, taught me mixing drinks in midnight bar, laughed at me when I coughed face red, then bought me hot milk. I don’t know if I loved him, or loved that never experienced world. Anyway, to be with Caleb, I jumped from second floor window, ran away with Caleb. I still remember him waiting for me at train station, seeing me hugged me into arms. Boy’s heartbeat deafening, he asked me: “Nora, are you afraid?” I loud voice: “I not afraid!” “Good, then I take you go, relax, later I definitely treat you well!” … Caleb indeed as he said, treated me very well. We no money, could only live in cheapest rental apartment, dripping water into ice winter, even rats in room froze shivering. Caleb would give me last egg in instant noodles, then put my cold feet on his stomach warming. Young, love drinks water full, really not afraid of bitterness. Bitter days passed few years, Caleb still capable, he partnered with people earned first pot of gold, then founded our company. He very smart, also very hardworking, worked no day no night. I heartached him, desperately learned, from beginning ignorant know nothing to later ease handling every business, effort finally had result, few years made company big. We moved from rental to apartment, then from big flat to mid-level detached villa. When proposing, he gave me grandest wedding, fireworks half city could see. Successful so many years, friends around him had mistresses, only he always guarded me, phone let me check, daily video calls constant, off work inseparable with me. That time, I really thought, we would grow old together like this. Until 28 years old, I found he cheated with fresh graduate intern Sophie in his company. We started quarreling, big quarrel, things at home smashed changed, changed smashed. I cried, angry, finally only numbness left. Lovers once willing give life for each other, finally actually turned enemies, said most hurtful words. I closed dry eyes, opened again. In photo on bedside, eighteen year old Caleb hugging seventeen year old Nora, smiling brilliantly to camera. Chapter 3 I sat dazed, door pushed open. Eighteen year old Caleb looked at me, eyes familiar stranger. Sharing bed so many years, we just need one look know, each other came back. In room once full of sweetness, we two awkward and unfamiliar, also carrying resentment. “Sorry,” Caleb spoke first, “Just now I spoke without thinking, I was also anxious, shouldn’t say that.” I looked at him, suddenly felt want to laugh. Seventeen years old in this small rental, we two froze hugging sleep together, he sandwiched my feet warming while red eyes: “Wifey, is me useless, let you suffer.” “Relax, I absolutely won’t fail you, I definitely love you forever.” That time I really believed. Just didn’t expect, forever actually so short. Just short thirteen years later, he pointed my nose scolded: “Aren’t you cheap, sleeping with man at seventeen.” In small room, we sat each side, no one spoke. “You—” Caleb opened mouth, interrupted by urgent knocking. I went open door, but pupils shrank fiercely when seeing person outside! Outside my mom dusty, once carefully cared curly hair already frizzy deformed, she who makeup daily now skin sallow, bottom of eyes red, grabbed me: “Go, go with me!” I stunned, memory flooded like tide! Yes, previous life mom also like this, she didn’t know how found out me and Caleb’s residence, came thousand miles take me home. I refused go home dead or alive, said I love Caleb, I want be with him. Mom crying gave me a slap: “I raised you for nothing so many years, could it be for a man, you don’t even want parents!” What did I say then? Don’t remember. Only remember mom finally disappointed look, choked said: “Later, I treat you dead, treat as never gave birth to you this daughter, you also don’t have me this mom!” After that, me and parents never met again. Until Caleb startup successful, we took things want go back ease relationship, but things thrown out by parents. Kinship cut by my own hands, became eternal pain in my heart. Mom voice difficult: “You go back with me now, I treat this matter never happened, we family of three live well——or else, you just treat I never gave birth to you, you also don’t have me this mom…” She still talking, I heard nothing clearly, just looking at mom’s familiar strange face, eyes sore blurry. How long? How long haven’t seen such mom? Mom still talking, I reached out held her, soft voice: “Okay, mom, I go back with you.” “You not go back just treat I raised you for nothing so many years——what?” Mom stopped abruptly, eyes wide. “I said, I go back with you.” I left so decisively back then, mom obviously didn’t expect I would agree so readily now. Caleb sitting aside turned head fiercely! Mom saw him, expression sank, but still kept basic politeness. “Little Jiang ah, you don’t blame auntie insist separating you, look at place you live, what can you give Nora?” “My Nora since small not say thousand pampers hundred loves, me and her dad also give whatever want, if not you, she lifetime no need suffer this sin.” “She can’t persist, by then you sooner or later break up, early separate good, you don’t delay each other.” Saying mom whole body relaxed, even things didn’t want, pulling me want go. I pulled corner of mouth. Mom not wrong, if not Caleb, actually I lifetime no need suffer this sin. But she also wrong, because previous life, I really persisted. Person who couldn’t persist, was Caleb. Peripheral vision swept mirror, Caleb face inch by inch pale. Don’t know if because mom said those words, or because I want go. Together these years no matter how bitter, I never thought leaving him, even final divorce was forced by him. He probably didn’t expect, I would also leave. I wanted say something goodbye, thought, again said nothing. What to say? Should say, shouldn’t say, good bad, said all in previous life. I closed door left. Chapter 4 Dad also didn’t expect I would come back with mom so obediently. He originally wanted hit me, raised palm then own eyes red first, long sigh put down hand: “Good back, good back, later be good at home.” “Me and your mom… not force you.” That night, mom cooked many dishes, she seemed want say many words, but finally just put ribs into my bowl: “Suffered outside this period right, eat more.” … This night, half dream half awake, I returned to previous life. In dream still that office, I pushed door in, saw Sophie sitting on Caleb’s leg. For a time sky spin earth turn, I stunned on spot, forgot anger. More uncomfortable was, that girl startled looked up, eyebrows clearly similar to once me few points, innocent romantic, know nothing of world. Previous me also like that, but startup with Caleb so many years, innocence in eyes long disappeared completely. Caleb first guilty apologize, promise compensate me, but being betrayed not forgive him once, but every time think of this matter have to forgive him. Soon his guilt consumed completely, then endless quarrel. I fired Sophie, he hired her back as personal secretary, also bought a villa outside for her, not go home whole night. Love accumulated thirteen years, in nights crying to ceiling one by one, in countless verbal abuse completely consumed. Rare couple is young, actually can walk to day wishing other die. Woke up sky still dark, alarm clock on bedside table emit faint blue light. 2:53. I got up walked to window once jumped down run away with Caleb, moonlight like water, lit up night color. Past floating, I couldn’t help think, was I really like Caleb then? Or liked freedom he brought, borrowing like him escape parents control. But these all indifferent. Previous life rebellious not sensible, I already paid price. Luckily heaven pity see, I actually have chance rebirth. Meeting Caleb was an accident, this life, I won’t derail again. Chapter 5 I went back to school. Luckily I good grades before, although fell some in this half year course, but impact not too big, I still returned to previous class. Parents only said I sick home rest, occasionally some rumors, also passed quickly. I recovered previous calm life. Caleb also didn’t appear for long time. I accidentally remembered, previous life this time he had serious illness. Caleb looks body good, muscles beautiful solid, but actually foundation not good. He grew up with grandma since small, after grandma left fed himself, such small child eat bite here there, full hard, let alone nutrition balanced. Previous life this time he sick very serious, many times even coughed blood, was me always inseparable care him finally recovered. After that I always thought ways maintain his body, daily change pattern cook guarantee nutrition. Raised like this several years, Caleb body conditioned by me. This time without me, can he survive? My heart somewhat not taste, again forced myself cruel heart when thinking of sentence he scolded. I wholehearted to him, but in people eyes just cheap, rushing up for what? I owe him nothing. This life, we just well separately. Just when I thought part ways with Caleb like this, didn’t expect after month, he actually appeared. School over way home, walking classmate suddenly small voice exclaimed: “Look that man so handsome—hey isn’t that Caleb? He seemed suspended before, why back again?” She poking me giggling: “Heard you dated, is he come find you?” I expressionless: “Not dated, don’t talk nonsense.” Friend “Che” once: “I thought you really dated such top quality, heard girls liking him queued to No. 4 High School, No. 4 High School flower cried shouted want be with him before.” “Irrelevant to me.” I looked straight forward walked. I don’t think Caleb come find me. Just like I completely no feeling for him, his sense for me probably not good either. I once hated him heart dripping blood, I used most vicious language curse him, even compensate own lifetime unwilling divorce fulfill him. That year we every meeting ended in quarrel, he almost daily lived at Sophie side. Finally I tired, heart died, although divorce proposed by me, but I also could see he sighed relief, he even generously gave me 10% shares as so-called compensation. Why would Caleb come find me? We probably people most not want see each other in this world. But didn’t expect, Caleb actually really walked straight towards me. Close look, I found he thinner a lot, face still carried pallor and haggardness of recovering from serious illness. He said to my friend: “Sorry, I have something want find Nora.” Friend winked at me smiled: “I know I know, then I go first, see you tomorrow!” I frowned: “You find me what matter?” Could it be want divide clear previous life startup project? Then I won’t let to him. I already thought, after SAT start own business, with previous life experience, think this time should be much easier. Out of my expectation, Caleb actually not say these. He lowered eyes look me, paused: “…Sorry.” I faint said: “I not accept your apology, anything else? Nothing I go.” Those hurts not simple sentence sorry can wipe, I also no qualification forgive him for previous life me. “Let’s talk Nora,” Caleb rubbed hair, appeared somewhat irritable, “Me and Sophie really not what you think—” “Not that?” I couldn’t help laugh, “Could it be you daily cover quilt pure chat, discuss company development?” “You don’t like this, actually I to Sophie just temporary freshness, I didn’t want divorce you. “Together so many years I of course know marriage most important, I also told her I impossible divorce you, finally agreed you I was also angry anxious—” “Irrelevant to me.” I interrupted him, “Caleb, later we bridge return bridge, road return road, don’t come find me.” Caleb face changed, moment later suddenly hooked mouth corner. “Fine Nora, isn’t it breakup, make like I will pester you.” He restored previous life hanging around, “Then like this we good gather good scatter, wish you happiness later.” “Will, because this life I won’t be with you again.” Caleb mouth corner smile somewhat can’t maintain. I turned leave. Until turning corner, peripheral vision swept. He still stood there. Can’t see expression.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390450”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

During the massive layoffs at the Tech Giant, the company offered two options. One was to take the Severance Package and leave; the other was to take a pay cut and go to that godforsaken new department to “pioneer.” In my previous life, I chose the new department. It turned out to be the company’s secret base for laying out the AI track. Three years later, everyone’s Stock Options skyrocketed, and I achieved financial freedom. My best friend took the severance pay to speculate in stocks, lost everything, and finally dragged me to die together. Reborn, just as HR finished speaking, my best friend slammed the table and shouted: “I want to go to the new department! No one fight me for it!” She looked at me, eyes vicious: “Take your little severance pay and get out, the future trend is mine.” I took the severance pay, signed without looking back. Chapter 1 Colleagues’ gazes pricked like needles. Someone whispered: “Is Ava stupid? Heard the new department is personally watched by the boss, just suffer for two years, later all original shares.” “Short-sighted, women, long hair short knowledge.” Bella listened to these words, chin lifted higher, like a victorious rooster. In the previous life, it was this rooster. When I got the options ready to cash out, she owed huge loan shark debts due to stock speculation, drove a car and knocked me off the overpass. That pain of shattered bones seemed to still remain on my body. I smiled. “Fine, Bella, this overwhelming wealth, I yield to you.” I slapped the signed agreement on the table. “Severance package, not a cent less, arrive today. Also, I’m taking that money tree plant on my desk.” Bella sneered: “Poor look, even want a broken pot of grass.” She didn’t know, buried under that tree was a hardware dongle I casually wrote in my previous life, which was the physical key to start the core code. Without it, those so-called “core assets” of the new department were just a pile of garbled characters. I started packing. Just halfway through packing the cardboard box, Bella suddenly walked over and kicked over my box. Crash. Keyboard, mouse, notebook scattered all over the floor. “Oops, sorry, foot slipped.” Bella said sorry, eyes full of provocation. She then screamed: “Supervisor! There seems to be the company’s confidential hard drive in Ava’s box! I saw it just now, she wants to steal things!” HR manager and security guards surrounded instantly. Manager frowned: “Ava, open bag, check.” Everyone around was watching the joke. Being laid off and publicly searched, this is the biggest humiliation in the workplace. I looked at Bella’s triumphant face, no anger in my heart, only pity watching a clown. “Check is fine, if not found, what then?” Bella crossed her arms: “If not found I kneel down and apologize to you! But if found, you wait to go to jail!” Just now she secretly stuffed a file marked “Top Secret” into the interlayer of my bag during the chaos. Action fast, but still too tender. I took out my phone directly, connected to the office’s smart surveillance—this was a small plugin I installed privately to test visual algorithms, no one knew. Phone screen projected onto the big TV in the conference room. In the picture, Bella sneakingly stuffing the file into my bag, high definition uncoded, even that cakey pimple on her face was clearly visible. Dead silence in the venue. Bella’s face instantly turned liver-colored. HR manager’s face black as pot bottom. “Bella, explain?” Bella trembled: “I… I was joking with her…” “Kneel.” I looked at her coldly. Bella gritted her teeth, tears swirling in eyes, refused to move. I picked up the phone: “Not kneeling is fine, I send this video to the entire industry HR group now, by the way call the police, this counts as framing right?” Thud. Bella’s knees went soft, knelt on the ground. “Sorry…” Voice small as mosquito. I lifted the box, stepped over her body. “Save your knees, days of begging for mercy are long ahead.” Walking out of the building, sunlight dazzling. Phone vibrated, bank card arrival text came. Severance, $50,000. This is my startup capital. Passing the smoking area, several security guards were pushing a man. Man with stubble, hair oily and knotted, wearing a yellowed white T-shirt, eyes dead silent. Ethan Sterling. In the previous life, he was the company’s technical director. Because he offended the boss, he was marginalized, finally fired for “serious violation of discipline”, and had to pay the company $70,000 penalty. No one knew, this man looking like a homeless now, was the real AI architect. The core logic of that project in the new department was all built by him. In the previous life, he became completely decadent after leaving, whereabouts unknown. And the company relied on the semi-finished code he left, ate dividends for three years. “Go go go! No money to pay then go sell kidney!” Security guard cursed. Ethan lowered his head, fists clenched white, but said nothing. I walked over, blocked the security guard. “His penalty, I pay.” Security guard stunned: “Engineer Ava, are you crazy? This person is a waste…” Ethan looked up sharply, a trace of astonishment flashed in those dead eyes. I took out the bank card just arrived not yet warm, swiped $70,000 directly. That was my entire fortune, even subsidized with savings. But I didn’t even blink. After procedures done, Ethan stood by the road, holding termination letter, voice hoarse. “Why?” “What do you want?” I looked at him, patted the card with only a few hundred dollars left in his hand. “I don’t want your body, nor your money.” “Ethan Sterling, I want your brain.” “Work with me.” Upstairs in front of French windows, Bella was looking down with binoculars. She took a photo and posted on Instagram, caption: “Trash matches dog, lasts forever. Picking up a rag as treasure, laughing to death.” I put away phone, smiled at Ethan. “Let’s go, poke a hole in the sky.” Chapter 2 I rented a shabby two-bedroom apartment, serving as both dormitory and studio. Living room piled with second-hand server cases, buzzing of cooling fans like a swarm of tireless bees. Ethan sat on the sofa missing a leg, staring at me. “You have no money.” He used a declarative sentence. To pay his penalty, and rented these equipment, I don’t even have next month’s rent now. I took out a bucket of instant noodles from bag, tore open the lid. “As long as servers don’t stop power, I won’t starve to death. What, Young Master Sterling can’t suffer?” Ethan didn’t speak, just stared at that bucket of noodles in a daze. In the previous life, I only knew his tech was awesome, but didn’t know he was actually the runaway young master of the Sterling Dynasty in Beijing. Because didn’t want to inherit family business, insisted on tech, cut ties with family. This life, I want to let this hidden dragon, out of abyss early. “New department’s project, is a pit.” Ethan spoke suddenly, tone cold. “I wrote that architecture, but left a backdoor. As long as concurrency exceeds ten million, whole system will crash.” I smiled, pushed the cooked noodles to him. “I know. And I also know, your backdoor is actually an infinite loop, once triggered, even hardware will burn.” Ethan’s pupils shrank sharply. He looked at me like looking at a monster: “How do you know? I haven’t finished writing that algorithm…” I didn’t explain, sat directly in front of computer. Fingers dancing on keyboard, lines of code pouring out like running water. That was the algorithm he spent three years to complete in previous life, also the core technology that made countless giants bow later. Ten minutes later, I hit enter. A green “SUCCESS” popped up on screen. Fork in Ethan’s hand fell to ground. He rushed over, staring dead at screen, breathing rapid like a bellows. “This… this is the logical closed loop I couldn’t figure out for half a year…” I pointed at screen, “This project, I want to make into SaaS platform, go online within a month. Any problem?” Ethan licked cracked lips, raging fire ignited in eyes. “As long as electricity bill enough, I can finish in half a month.” Days following, we were like two lunatics. Except eating sleeping, just writing code. To save money, I sold all designer bags bought before. Ethan saw it, said nothing, just typing speed faster. In ex-colleague group chat, Bella live streamed her “highlight moments” daily. “Another day of overtime today, new department’s coffee so good.” “Boss says I’m company’s future, pressure so big.” “Heard someone went to pick trash after leaving? So pitiful.” Picture was her sitting in spacious bright office, posing with computer. Actually I knew, displayed on her computer screen, was outsourcing website order page. She was finding ghostwriters. Because before I left, I formatted the computer completely. She couldn’t find even a decent document. This day, a graphics card of server burned. No way, must change. Ethan and I went to Tech Shop. Enemies cross narrow path. Just entered a shop, heard Bella’s sharp voice. “Boss, I want this A100 graphics card, company reimburses, no lack of money!” She held a balding man, that was her simp boss Brad, also the one backing her in this new department. I looked at that graphics card, it was the best condition second-hand card in shop, also what we urgently needed. “This card, I saw first.” I walked over, spoke lightly. Bella turned, seeing me, face immediately piled up mocking smile. “Yo, isn’t this Ava? What, picking trash to Tech Shop?” She looked up and down at my T-shirt worth tens of dollars, then looked at stubbly Ethan beside. “Tsk tsk, still bringing your homeless boyfriend? This card is ten thousand dollars, can you afford it? Selling you isn’t worth this price right?” She deliberately lifted foot wearing high heels, stepped on that graphics card, crushed hard. “Oops, sorry, stepped dirty. But since it’s thing I fancied, even if crushed, I won’t give to beggar.” That balding man also followed laughing: “Bella, don’t bother with this kind of low class people, call security to kick them out, don’t affect mood.” Shop owners and customers around were watching the show. I clenched fists, just about to explode. Ethan who stood silently behind me all along, suddenly moved. Chapter 3 Ethan moved, fast like a black lightning bolt. He pushed away that security guard wanting to come up, force so big made that two-hundred-pound strong man stumble back several steps. Then, he bent down, ignoring Bella screaming dodging, directly reached out and pulled that graphics card from under her foot. Action rude, but carried a dominance. He wiped dust on graphics card with that yellowed T-shirt, eyes gloomy. “This thing under your foot, that is insulting technology.” He looked up, gaze swept coldly over Bella and Brad. “Touch her again try?” Voice not loud, but revealed a ruthlessness. Bella was scared, shrank into Brad’s arms. Brad felt he lost face, pointed at Ethan cursing: “You stinking beggar, know who I am? Believe I make you unable to mix in this industry?” “Oh? Who are you?” Ethan sneered coldly, “Brad, ex-company operation department deputy manager, the one rose by washing boss’s car?” Brad face changed greatly: “How do you know…” Ethan ignored him, turned to shop owner. “Old Chen, I want this card. Also, give me those two servers at bottom of your chest.” Shop owner was a middle-aged man with glasses, originally watching show, hearing this voice, shivered fiercely. He leaned close looked at Ethan, glasses almost fell. “God… God Ethan?” In this circle, Ethan Sterling these three words, are legend. Although fired by company, but in eyes of real geeks, he is god. Shop owner excited hands shaking: “God Ethan, why you… Aiya! This card free for you! Those two servers I give you 50% off! Just take little brother along if you have good projects later!” Bella dumbfounded. “Boss, you crazy? I pay double price!” Shop owner rolled eyes at her: “Rich amazing ah? Get out get out, don’t dirty my place. God Ethan’s friend, is also for you to bully?” Bella angry trembling all over, pointing at me: “Ava, you good! You wait for me! Product launch in two days, I want to let you know what is despair!” She pulled Brad left in disgrace. On way back, Ethan held that graphics card, like holding a treasure. I looked at his side face, suddenly felt this man much more pleasing to eye. “Just now, thanks.” Ethan snorted: “I was saving that card, not saving you.” Back to studio, atmosphere became urgent. “Product launch” Bella mentioned, is new department’s debut. According to previous life timeline, they couldn’t produce decent product at all. Reason Bella dared to be so arrogant, must be she found “shortcut”. Sure enough, that night 3 AM. Our firewall red light flashed madly. Someone attacking our intranet. Ethan’s fingers tapped fast on keyboard, code on screen flowing like waterfall. “It’s ex-company IP, they are scanning our ports.” Ethan sneered, “Want steal code? No way.” He just about to press enter to counterattack, I pressed his hand. “Don’t stop.” Ethan frowned looking at me: “You crazy? This is our blood and sweat.” I stared at that constantly probing red dot on screen, a trace of cold light flashed in eyes. “Let them steal.” I opened a hidden folder, inside lay a code package looking perfect, actually full of logic bombs. “Put this into honeypot, open a gap in firewall.” Ethan froze a bit, then reacted. “You woman, heart really black.” “Same to you.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390466”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

After five years as his secret, his shadow, I watched him announce at a family dinner that he was bringing his girlfriend to meet us. My heart swelled with a foolish hope that this was the dramatic moment he’d chosen to finally make us public. I never expected him to actually bring another woman. He had his arm wrapped around her, grinning like he’d won the lottery. “Come on, Jordan,” he said, the old pet name sounding foreign on his tongue. “Say hello to your new sister-in-law.” After the woman left, he gave me a ride home, just as he had countless times before. In the plush back seat of his luxury sedan, the place where our absurd, secret life had unfolded, I finally asked him. “Landon Montgomery,” I whispered, the name a raw accusation. “You have a girlfriend now. What was my five years of waiting, then?” The hand gripping the steering wheel tightened, a brief, sharp tremor. “Waiting?” He didn’t look at me. “Did I ever ask you to wait?” He finally turned, his expression carefully bland. “Jordan, maybe don’t get so hopelessly attached to people in the future. It’s honestly… a little terrifying.” He said it so carelessly, so dismissively, as if the five years I’d sacrificed everything for had been my own ridiculous fault. I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of fatigue. I smiled, a cold, empty thing. “Fine. Then goodbye, Landon.” 01 Under the dim streetlights, Landon leaned against his car, finishing his last cigarette. He ground the butt out with his Italian leather shoe. In the last five minutes, he’d checked his phone ten times and sent nine voice messages to the woman he’d just dropped off. His final text, I knew, was to his sister—my best friend, Sasha—assuring her he’d delivered me home safe. Landon lowered his phone and turned to me, a lingering trace of a smile from his other conversations still on his face. He seemed pleased, which made his tone light and easy. “Look, Jordy, you’re all grown up. You know what they say about adult breakups. Clean and simple, right?” He reached out and ruffled my hair, an intimate, brotherly gesture that completely belied the seriousness of the conversation. It was a final, damning sign that he had never once taken me seriously. He hadn’t even been serious the night we started. Five years ago, I’d gotten drunk, and we’d ended up in his bed. The next morning, he’d sat against the headboard, smoking a cigarette, the smoke curling and obscuring his handsome, flippant face. “You like me?” I’d nodded, panicked, but my fear was met with his easy, cynical laugh. “Sure, let’s go with it.” He added, almost as an afterthought, “But we can’t tell Sasha. She’d probably take a knife to me if she knew.” He said it so casually, but I took it as gospel. From that day on, I lived in his shadow, a pathetic fixture in his life, feeling like an accessory he was too lazy to discard. I thought time would eventually make me special. I was horribly, devastatingly wrong. He continued his circuit of women, and I was merely a convenient, secret toy. I stared at the ground, catching the glint of his phone screen as he sent yet another text. The person he’d saved as “Girlfriend” had, I knew, only gotten his number at a bar two days ago. I pressed down the acidic burn in my chest, took several deep, shaky breaths, and asked the question I’d been terrified to utter for five years. “Landon, why was everyone an option for you… but me?” Landon froze, then sighed, a sound of genuine, yet self-pitying, annoyance. “It’s not that you can’t be, exactly… It’s just, I regretted getting involved that first night.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I tried for five years to see you as a normal woman. I couldn’t.” He looked at me then, his eyes dark and complex, both intensely present and utterly detached. “It’s like… every other woman was a viable option for me, except for the one right here.” On the silent, empty street, his rare moment of honesty felt like the cruelest cut. I immediately averted my gaze, terrified that he would see the sudden, hot sting of tears. “I understand,” I mumbled, pulling my composure back like a heavy blanket. “Thank you for the ride home, big brother. It’s late. I should go up.” I turned to leave, but his hand shot out and clasped my wrist. Landon gently wiped a tear I hadn’t even realized had fallen. He wore a look that said, ‘Of course, I knew this was coming.’ “Why the waterworks? Why not try to fight for me, then? Stick around?” He grinned, a predator playing with its food. “Maybe, for Sasha’s sake, I’d keep you amused for a little while longer.” It was a sick kind of temptation, but I couldn’t fall for it again. The corner of a small, square package pressed against his jacket pocket—a silent, sickening reminder of the necessities he kept for his other dates. I pulled my hand back and took a resolute step away. I made sure my voice was calm. “No, thank you, big brother. I hope you have a fun night.” Without looking back at his face, I walked quickly toward the gates. My rough, uneven breathing condensed into clouds in the cold night air. I’d thought I was done with crying. But once I was inside and had unlocked my door, I went straight to the balcony. Landon was still standing by his car, staring at the apartment building. I knew he was waiting for the light in my room to come on, his perverse way of feeling absolved before he left to see Brittany. How dare he? How could he hurt me so carelessly and then wait around to collect his peace of mind? I yanked the curtains closed, slid down the wall, and finally, completely, gave in. I sobbed until my throat was raw, releasing five years of humiliation, betrayal, and unrequited devotion. A notification chimed. It was Landon. [Jordy, take advantage of being young. Go travel, go see things.] [There are plenty of good guys out there. Don’t waste yourself on one tree.] [Get some rest.] In the darkness, the three perfect, impersonal messages seemed so utterly ridiculous, so fundamentally Landon. My five-year obsession, that deep, humiliating anchor, finally snapped with those three vapid sentences. I wiped my eyes, grabbed my phone, and typed back one final message. [I will. Thank you.] Then, I immediately called my mother. “Mom? The arrangement with Theodore Brooks? The wedding? I accept. Seven days from now.” 02 After hanging up with my mother, I collapsed onto the bed, physically drained. I tried to command my mind to move on, but the control center of my heart had shut down. I couldn’t help but remember the first time Sasha introduced me to Landon. He was wearing a black track suit that day. When he made a three-pointer, the whole campus erupted in shrieks. But he ran straight to me, took the half-empty water bottle from my hand, and grinned. He asked Sasha, “Who’s this? I don’t think I’ve ever seen this little sister around.” No one could be immune to a first meeting like that. I certainly wasn’t. I fell headfirst, completely and utterly. I broke things off with my family for him, and for him, I accepted five years of being the nameless, unofficial other woman. I found out much later that my perfect, cinematic meet-cute had just been his standard opening line. He’d said it to every girl Sasha ever brought around. … “What? You’re getting married?” It had been three days since I ended things with Landon. Sasha had taken me out to lunch, worried sick over my silence, and I dropped the bombshell. She stared at me, her brow furrowed with concern. “Jordan, I know you just broke up with whoever that garbage boyfriend of yours was, but you can’t just marry some random guy out of spite!” I smiled, shaking my head. “Do you really think I’m that fragile? This is a decision I’ve thought through. And he’s not just ‘some random guy.’ It’s… well, Theo. Theodore Brooks. It’s an arrangement, technically. A childhood engagement our parents never fully let go of.” I wasn’t lying. If I hadn’t met Landon, I probably would have already been Mrs. Brooks. Sasha’s worry didn’t abate. She was genuinely concerned for me, the way a best friend should be. I pinched her cheek. “Stop worrying. You’re going to be my maid of honor, remember?” “Maid of honor for what?” The door to the private room swung open, and Landon strode in with a lack of ceremony only he could manage. He’d traded up, or at least traded out, for another date. The secret spot next to him—the spot I’d desperately wanted for five years—was, as he’d promised, always open for anyone but me. Landon stopped in the center of the room, scanning the space before his gaze landed on me. “Who’s getting married?” I squeezed Sasha’s hand to stop her from answering. “It’s nothing, Landon. What are you doing here?” The girl behind him stepped forward, a vision of wide-eyed innocence. “I made him bring me,” she chirped. “I wanted to meet his family and friends. Hi, I’m Brittany Miller.” It might have been my imagination, but a flicker of proprietary contempt crossed Brittany’s face when she looked at me. Sasha, bless her oblivious heart, didn’t notice, and dragged Brittany to the karaoke machine. Landon sat beside me, swirling the amber liquid in his glass under the room’s soft lighting. “So, already on the hunt for a rebound?” I glanced at him. “Are you really that invested in my dating life, big brother?” He let out a short, dismissive laugh. He leaned closer, watching me with a cynical amusement I recognized too well. “Just checking up on my after-sales service.” He paused, his gaze hardening. “If you can’t find anyone, I could always help you vet candidates. Someone totally different from me, of course.” He leaned in further, his voice a low, taunting murmur. “Someone who wouldn’t make you drag yourself out with a fever to deliver his condoms, or parade his rotating door of dates in front of you. Someone who’d be devoted. How does that sound?” I froze, gripping the wine glass. He knew. He knew how agonizing those moments were. He just hadn’t cared. He’d watched my pain and treated it as entertainment. I downed the wine in one gulp, turned back, and met his eyes with a genuine, triumphant smile. “No need, Landon. I’m getting married.” 03 The air in the private room went instantly silent and brittle. Landon’s eyes narrowed, his brows drawing into a tight line. A deep, cold anger radiated off him. “Jordan Wells,” he bit out, using my full name. “I don’t appreciate that kind of cheap joke.” I simply smiled back, refusing to explain. At that moment, Brittany approached with a glass of champagne. Whether by accident or—I suspected—by very pointed design, she stumbled, and the contents splashed directly onto my white dress. She gasped, covering her mouth with her hand, a picture of delicate remorse. “Oh, I’m such a klutz! Sister, are you okay?” Landon’s face was dark, but he looked straight at me, his voice sharp with cold displeasure. “None of your business, Britt. This is what happens when people stand in the way.” “What are you saying, Landon?” Sasha rushed over, planting herself between us. “What does this have to do with Jordan? You’re usually so protective of her. What’s wrong with you today?” I put a hand on Sasha’s arm. “It’s fine, Sasha. It doesn’t matter.” I ignored Landon’s thunderous expression and walked out toward the ladies’ room. Outside the stall, I saw Brittany’s reflection in the mirror. She stood behind me, her eyes full of undisguised, cold hostility. “You’re the one Landon called his five-year-long lapdog, aren’t you?” Her voice was low and triumphant. “Do you know what else he calls you? An attachment he couldn’t shake. A clingy shadow.” Even though I’d tried to shed that past life, hearing such a degrading description made my heart clench in a painful spasm. I took a breath and turned to face her. “Is that right? Well, I hope your time with him lasts longer than mine did.” Brittany’s smug expression faltered, her perfectly composed face twisting with sudden, raw fury. She suddenly grabbed my arm, forcing a grotesque smile. “It was only five years! And after all that, Landon tossed you out like trash! Like a stray dog he got tired of petting! Jordan Wells, the woman who walks down the aisle with Landon? That’s me!” The moment Landon arrived, he found me with my hand stinging, having just delivered a hard slap across Brittany’s face. She was clutching her cheek, tears welling in her eyes, a perfect picture of a beautiful victim. She’d clearly hit herself to make the mark more convincing. “Landon, I just wanted to apologize, but I don’t know why, she—” Landon’s expression was calm, almost unnervingly so. He looked past Brittany, straight at me, and asked only one question. “Did you hit her?” I looked him in the eye, knowing the answer didn’t matter. “What if I told you no?” He studied me for a long moment, then broke into a slow, chilling smile. “Jordy. You’re getting less and less agreeable. Lying, saying you’re getting married…” He raised Brittany’s chin, his thumb delicately stroking her cheekbone. “Such a pretty face. We can’t let it get bruised. Come on. Let’s get you to a doctor.” He wrapped his arm around Brittany’s shoulders, starting to lead her away. “Wait.” I called out, my voice startlingly steady. Landon paused and arched a brow. I walked up to him and held out my hand. “Give me back the bracelet I made you.” I was pointing to the dark wooden prayer beads he wore on his wrist. I had painstakingly sanded and stained each bead myself when I was a teenager. Landon had worn it religiously, everywhere he went. Landon’s smile instantly vanished, replaced by a deep, tight frown. His eyes were cold, and the air around us dropped several degrees. Brittany didn’t dare make a sound. Suddenly, he gave a harsh, short laugh. He raised his wrist, feigning confusion. “This old thing? This piece of junk? Honestly, I’ve been meaning to get rid of it.” With brutal force, he ripped the bracelet off. The thick red cord snapped, leaving a red welt on his wrist. He tossed the beads onto the pristine marble floor. They scattered, bouncing with dull, final thuds. “Pick them up yourself.” Landon dismissed me with that cold command, swept Brittany into his arms, and strode out. I looked down at the mess of wooden beads. I had come to find closure for a foolish, youthful devotion. It seemed the beads weren’t needed for that ritual anymore. I drew a deep breath, raised my foot, and with a silent, resolute finality, stepped right over the scattered beads. 04 In the following days, I moved back into the Wells family estate and focused entirely on the wedding preparations. Three days before the wedding, I finalized the decor with the hotel coordinator. He informed me that the flowers had all been changed. “Mr. Brooks made a special request,” the coordinator beamed. “He replaced all the classic roses with sunflowers. He said sunflowers are your favorite, Mrs. Wells. He wants to give you the very best.” A warmth bloomed in my chest. I sent a text to Theodore, who was still abroad. [The sunflowers are perfect. I love them. Thank you.] Meanwhile, Landon updated his social media. A photo of him and Brittany on a beach holiday. The sun, the sand, a beautiful resort—a trip I’d begged Landon for over five years, one he always shrugged off, now handed to Brittany effortlessly. Two days before the wedding, Theo sent over the finalized guest list. It was detailed, organized, and reflected a genuine care for the event, not just a business transaction. Sasha texted me, frantic, saying she hadn’t been able to reach Landon all day. The final day before the wedding, Theo had a designer gown—an incredible dress encrusted with diamonds—flown in from Paris. As I stood by the mirror, gently stroking the fabric, I realized I was genuinely starting to anticipate the day ahead. All the pain and shadows from the past seemed to recede. My phone screen lit up. Landon. [The keypad on the front door is dead. You still have the spare key, right?] My conversation thread with him was a wasteland of my green bubbles, my frantic texts about his absences, his lies, his excuses. His last message to me had been two months ago. I smiled, flipped my phone face-down on the vanity, and let the notifications pile up. … The relentless ringing continued. [Jordan Wells, how did you string those beads? The bracelet snapped.] [Don’t get the wrong idea. I didn’t pick up the broken one. I just want to make a new one for Britt as a gift.] [Jordan, answer me!] [Since when did you learn to play games?] … The irritating chimes drove me to finally pick up the phone. I calmly deleted the entire conversation history, then went to his contact page, and blocked him. Back at the Montgomery mansion, Landon stared at the red exclamation point next to his last message. He was so angry he wanted to throw the handful of wooden beads he’d retrieved from the club floor back into the trash. But he couldn’t bring himself to do it. His heart, he realized with a sickening lurch, was no longer under his control. He felt a deep, unfamiliar dread. Sasha, dressed exquisitely for the wedding, came down the stairs. She looked at her brother, who was pacing wildly, beads clenched in his fist. “Landon, why aren’t you dressed?” she asked, confused. “Are you really planning to wear that to Jordan’s wedding?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390482”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

On the fifth anniversary of our wedding, a video of me proposing to my husband went viral. I thought it would be filled with blessings, but the top-rated comment was this: [Your boyfriend didn’t look at you first. If I’m not mistaken, the girl he used to have a thing with was also at that dinner.] [All of his friends were looking at her, which means they all knew about them.] [When you put the ring on him, he wasn’t excited. He looked like he was just playing along. He doesn’t love you!] I wasn’t angry. I was actually impressed by the internet’s wild imagination. The person sitting there was my best friend, Sophie—who was also my husband’s adopted sister. She had helped me plan the entire relationship, from our first date to the proposal. Their relationship had always been one of polite, distant siblings. How could there possibly be anything between them? The internet was just being paranoid. I shrugged it off, set the video to private, and got up to start dinner. Just then, the door opened. My husband, Declan, walked in, flakes of snow melting on his coat, his face etched with exhaustion as he unwrapped his scarf. “Let’s get a divorce,” he said. “I have never loved you.” … “I think we need to talk.” Declan’s voice was heavy with fatigue. He didn’t pull me into his usual warm embrace. Instead, he sat on the sofa with his back to me, a solitary figure in the dimming light. Maybe it was the video, or maybe it was just how strangely distant he was, but a cold dread washed over me. I tried desperately to stop what was coming. “It’s our fifth anniversary. Can’t this wait until tomorrow? I… Oh, I love this cake. Do you want to try some?” “Cake?” Declan’s gaze shifted to the dining table, and then to my tear-filled eyes. He paused, letting out a soft sigh. “My secretary sent that over on her own. I’m sorry. I don’t like sweets.” We had been together for nine years—four dating, five married. He had never once missed a gift or a surprise for an anniversary or holiday. This time had been no different. I had mentioned a famous cake offhandedly two days ago, and he had spent a fortune to have it flown in, custom-made by a five-star Michelin chef. Just moments before he walked in, I had snapped a photo of the half-eaten Black Swan cake and pinned it to the top of the video’s comment section: [Thanks for the concern, everyone. We’ve been married for five years and are very happy!] Now, Declan’s words were a slap across my face, sharp and stinging. I stood frozen, my head bowed in silence. After a long moment, he came to me, pulling me into a gentle hug. But the fingers he used to wipe away my tears were colder than the tears themselves. “Annalise,” he murmured, “I think we should separate.” “Why?” I choked out. “Did you cheat on me?” “No,” he said, his voice flat. “I just don’t love you. I tried.” That single sentence drained all the strength from my body. I didn’t understand. How could this be happening? We never fought, there was no infidelity, everything was perfect. How could the love just be gone? The door was still ajar, but the vast apartment suddenly felt empty, with only me inside. Perhaps it was the two bold, red exclamation marks next to his contact, but I found myself opening the video again, my actions mechanical. Declan and I were each other’s first love. After four years, I decided to be the one to propose. My best friend, his stepsister Sophie, was the only one in on the secret. That day, I was so nervous I kept messing up my lines, my hands shaking so badly as I held out the ring. I closed my eyes, waiting. A warm hand gently took the ring from me. “Yes,” he said. The room erupted in cheers and congratulations. In that moment, I was the happiest person in the world. But now, I watched it again, frame by excruciating frame. And I saw it. The first person Declan looked at was not me. There was no surprise in his eyes, only a mixture of pain and longing that I couldn’t comprehend. That slight hesitation before he said yes—it was a silent plea directed at Sophie. The realization made it hard to breathe. The two people I trusted most in the world had a secret history I knew nothing about. But it couldn’t be true. The breakfasts he made me every morning, the way he stayed by my side when I had a fever, his gentle restraint during our intimate moments, the way he shielded me with his own body during a car crash—none of that could have been fake. I refused to believe that after nine years together, he didn’t love me at all. And I refused to believe that Sophie, who despised injustice, would ever get involved with my husband. Sophie arrived right on time. She was wearing her usual white pleated skirt, looking like a little angel. I cut straight to the point. “Declan wants to divorce me. He’s in love with you.” Sophie shot to her feet, her face flushing with anger. “What son of a bitch is spreading these lies? Declan is my brother! How could he possibly be in love with me? And you, Annalise! We’re closer than sisters. How could you suspect me?” Her outrage seemed genuine. I would have believed her, if not for the necklace she was wearing—a perfect match to my own. Declan had given it to me for my birthday last year, a one-of-a-kind piece meant for the love of his life. I cherished it, rarely ever taking it off. When the plating started to chip, I had even complained about the poor quality of the luxury brand. But now, the diamond on Sophie’s neck sparkled, flawless and new. The original was on the one he truly loved. But they were siblings. And Sophie had been married for years! “Sophie,” I whispered, “please, just make him give up on you. I’m begging you.” Sophie looked lost, her eyes suddenly welling with tears. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to hide it from you…” She gave a choked, tearful laugh. “Annalise, you have no idea what Declan was like in high school. He was horrible. He refused to even acknowledge me as his sister. He led the others in bullying me, pouring cold water on me in the winter, locking me in classrooms, cutting my hair. I fought back, I stood up to him, but… I don’t know how it happened, but I fell in love with him. He changed later, he became so gentle, but with our family situation… how could we ever be together?” I sat there, stunned, listening to this portrait of a man I didn’t know. So Declan wasn’t naturally caring. He wasn’t born gentle. He had once been filled with so much rage and malice. Sophie apologized over and over, even slapping her own face in despair. Finally, she grabbed my hands, her grip tight. “Believe me, after college, I let it all go. I would never hurt you, Annalise.” Of course, I believed her. When we were twelve, she had shielded me with her own body, protecting me from my father’s drunken rage. I would have been beaten to death without her. I heard myself say, “Sophie, you’ve been divorced for two years. Let me set you up with someone.” “Okay,” she said, forcing a smile through her tears. “Whatever you say.” She ruffled my hair like she used to, but her eyes were filled with a deep, bitter sadness. “I’ll talk to my brother. I won’t let him divorce you.” Just when I thought things might be okay, Declan burst into my bedroom that night. He was like a different person, his eyes bloodshot with fury. “You just can’t leave Sophie alone, can you?” he snarled. “She finally escapes the shadow of that bastard ex-husband, and you immediately try to push her into another pit of fire! If I hadn’t gotten there in time, she would have been assaulted! How can you be so venomous?” His voice was thick with a mixture of fear and hatred. A tearing pain shot through my scalp. “Declan,” I screamed, “Sophie is my best friend! Why would I ever try to hurt her?” It was like he couldn’t hear me. He dragged me forcefully through the house. I stumbled, and he threw me into a dark, hidden room. On a rack were blood-stained whips and ropes. “What is it you love about me? My gentleness? My thoughtfulness?” he sneered. “That was all an act. After I had to leave Sophie, I developed a severe sex addiction. I could never get enough with you. I had to torture myself, then put on the mask of a good husband.” I never knew this room existed. It was like another side of Declan I had never seen. A chill ran down my spine. He laughed, a crazed, unhinged sound. “See, Annalise? You’re afraid of the real me too.” “I love you, so what? The man you love is a lie.” Annalise could be afraid of anyone in the world. Anyone except Declan. From a young age, I was the illegitimate child of a prostitute. After my mother’s looks faded, she forged a paternity test and found me a “father.” A couple of years later, she ran off. The man would take his anger out on me whenever he was drunk. When he was broke, he’d force me to play “games” with the old drunks in the village for cigarettes and liquor. In my world, all men were scum. But Declan was different. He was restrained and respectful. When I was afraid of intimacy, he waited a whole year for me, his touch never crossing the line. Even after I finally overcame my trauma, he was always mindful of my feelings, stopping even in the heat of the moment if I so much as frowned. I never imagined he had been in so much pain. Staring at our wedding photo in the bedroom, my mind went back to that dark room. “I’m not afraid,” I had said. His only response had been to flee. If Declan could save me, why couldn’t I save him? I slowly unbuttoned my clothes and changed into a sexy “battle outfit” I’d bought online. I buried myself under the covers, my mind racing with possibilities. Things that once felt shameful now felt like a sacrifice I was willing to make. BANG! The door to another apartment was thrown open. Heavy breathing and moans filled the darkness as a man and a woman moved with wild, reckless abandon. “Brother, I told you last time was the last time. Why did you come looking for me again? Annalise almost found out this time! You know she’s the most important person in my life!” “Annalise has no one but you and me. She won’t agree to a divorce. This is your punishment for trying to end things.” The man’s voice was low and hoarse, filled with a chilling certainty. The woman sobbed, a hint of resentment in her tone. “Annalise loves you so much. You shouldn’t hurt her like this.” “Hah!” Declan’s voice turned vicious. “You’re the one who shamelessly seduced me first. Why should I accept you pushing me onto someone else? I’m telling you, Sophie, if you dare try to marry someone else to hide from me again, I won’t mind crippling another man. I mean it. As for Annalise, if she wants a divorce, I’ll give her a generous settlement. If not, I can afford to keep her. That’s benevolent enough.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390499”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

I am a professional con artist, specializing in targeting top-tier tycoons who have been hurt by love. Target One is a Wall Street mogul, fiancée ran away with someone. Target Two is a genius painter, wife mysteriously disappeared. Target Three is a cold professor, secretly in love with his first love for years. I used all my skills to warm them, just when they were about to fall for me, the original owners returned collectively. So, I instantly turned from the light of salvation into an eyesore dirty thing. The mogul explained to his fiancée it was just for fun, turned around and ordered people to send me to Cartel Territory, silencing me for life. The painter’s wife said I imprisoned her, he then tied me up, tortured me for three days and nights. The professor to clear relationship for his first love, let students rumor I was an escort, watched me being cancelled and beaten, he only said he didn’t know me. Since the scam was exposed, I was too lazy to pretend. I looked at them pressing step by step, smilingly lit the gas. After the fire extinguished, they dug in the ruins for three days and nights, but couldn’t find a single bone of mine. Chapter 1 I knelt in Sebastian Sterling’s Hamptons estate living room. In front of me was a one-way ticket to Mexico. Sebastian sat on the leather sofa, arms around his regained fiancée Scarlett. He looked down at me, eyes colder than the snow in this winter night. “Nina, you dared to force Scarlett away back then, you should have thought of today.” I laughed. Laughed until my shoulders trembled, tears almost came out. Back then? Back then I was still in a small town studying how to scam neighbor Old Man Zhang’s pension, where would I know his precious fiancée? “Mr. Sterling, if you want to condemn someone, you can always find a pretext.” I straightened my back, “If you want to dump me just say it, no need to make up such a lame excuse.” Crash! The red wine glass in Sebastian’s hand smashed at my feet. Glass shards cut my ankle, blood seeped out. Scarlett exclaimed in his arms, “Sebastian, don’t be like this, maybe Miss Nina just loved you too much, that’s why she was jealous of me…” “Love?” Sebastian sneered, as if hearing the biggest joke. “A woman like her who climbs into bed for money, worthy of mentioning love?” He stood up, walked to me. Leather shoe tip lifted my chin, force big enough to almost crush my bone. “Nina, you shouldn’t have touched Scarlett.” “She is pure and kind, unlike you, full of calculation from head to toe.” “This ticket is your only destination.” “Go there, naturally someone will teach you how to shut up, how to atone.” I looked at his eyes that once gazed at me affectionately. Now inside only disgust and killing intent. I knew, he was serious. In New York, Sebastian wanting to kill someone is easier than crushing an ant. Send to Mexico? That is to make me live worse than death, make me disappear completely from this world. My heart sank completely, but I still insisted on finishing this play. “Sebastian Sterling, do you really not care about any affection?” I looked straight at him, eye rims slightly red, eyes full of stubbornness and deep love. “These three years, when your stomach hurt, who took care of you without undressing?” “When you were ostracized by family, to get the contract, who blocked alcohol for you until stomach perforation?” “Last month, on the yacht in Victoria Harbor, you hugged me saying, I am your only salvation in this life.” “Now, that woman who abandoned you returned, you want to send me to hell?” My questioning made his eyes flicker for a moment, fingers holding the glass tightened. But soon, interrupted by Scarlett’s light cough. “Sebastian, I’m so dizzy…” Sebastian immediately released me, turned to hug Scarlett nervously. When looking back, the last trace of hesitation in his eyes was gone, only impatience left. “Still standing there for what? Take her away!” Two bodyguards in black stepped forward, roughly grabbed me. I grabbed the door frame dead tight, nails broke. “Sebastian Sterling! How can you treat me like this!” “I even saved your life!” Sebastian steps paused, then sneered. “If not for saving my life, do you think you can stand here intact now?” “Drag away.” I was dragged out of the villa like a dead dog. Moment the gate closed, I saw the disgust in Sebastian’s eyes. That was real disgust. Very good. Emotion of the first fish, in place. Chapter 2 I wasn’t sent to Mexico. Because halfway, car was intercepted. Person intercepting, was my second client, genius painter Leo. Moment car door pulled open, seeing his pale handsome face, a trace of absurd hope rose in my heart. Is he here to save me? After all just last week, he held my hand, saying I was the only blooming rose in his withered world. Car door opened. I saw Leo’s pale handsome face. He held a utility knife in hand, blade flashing cold light. Looking at me gloomily. “Get down.” I was taken back to that familiar studio. Here used to be place we accompanied each other, here he taught me mixing colors, I was his model. And now, a woman sat in center of studio. Actually was his wife missing for full three years, Lila. She was leisurely drinking coffee, looking at me with playful eyes. “Leo, it’s her.” She pointed at me trembling all over, tone aggrieved, “These three years, she locked me in basement, only gave me moldy bread every day.” “She also said, as long as she gets plastic surgery to look like me, she can replace me.” I dumbfounded. This script written, more outrageous than me. I plastic surgery? This is my natural face! Ten thousand times more natural than your face injected with pounds of hyaluronic acid okay! And these years I busy balancing between three men, where got time to raise a living person? I looked at Leo, trying to wake up his reason. “Leo, you believe her?” “Why shouldn’t I believe?” Leo red eyes, approached me step by step. “Nina, I really didn’t expect, you so vicious.” “I always thought you gentle kind, even feed stray cats, turns out all acting.” “To stay by my side, you actually imprisoned Lila for three years! How could you do it!” He grabbed my hair, I forced to look up, meeting his red eyes. “Say! What else did you do to her?” I endured severe pain from scalp, gritted teeth said: “Leo, is your brain pasted by paint?” “If I really imprisoned her, would I be stupid enough to let you find her today? What for?” Leo pupils shrank. Force on hand loosened a bit. Seeing this, Lila immediately screamed: “Leo! My hand hurts so much… back then I wanted escape, was broken hand by her…” Leo instantly returned senses, reason in eyes swallowed by anger again. He fiercely pushed me onto chair, picked up rope, skillfully tied me up. Rope cut into flesh, pain made me cold sweat flow. “Since you like imprisoning others, then let you taste taste of being imprisoned.” “These all you owe Lila.” Leo holding utility knife, gesturing on my face. “Aren’t you care about this face most?” He muttered to himself, eyes blurred and dangerous. “If I destroy it, how can you cheat next man?” Cold blade slid close to my skin. I trembled all over. Not acting, really scared. Artists mostly crazy, Leo is crazy among crazies, he really can do it. “Leo, don’t make me hate you.” I closed eyes, tears slid down corner of eye. Leo hand paused. He looked at my tears, somewhat trance. “Hate?” Then laughed, “Woman like you, even love is fake, where qualification talk hate?” Finally, he didn’t scratch my face. But he dragged me into studio’s underground storage room. Dark, damp, air full of mold smell, only rustling sound of rats crawling was only companion. He closed door, world fell into dead silence darkness. No food, no water. First day, because thirsty, throat like on fire, I licked cold dew on wall. Second day, hunger made my stomach start cramping, I curled on ground, hallucinations grew, seemed saw those three men’s once gentle faces, they smilingly said to me: “Nina, we will love you forever.” Third day, I even no strength to move a bit. Consciousness swung between awake and coma. I curled into a ball in darkness. Calculating in heart. Bitter meat trick. Not bleeding a bit, how make them unforgettable? Chapter 3 I stayed in basement for three days. Just when I thought I was going to die of thirst, door opened. Dazzling light made me unable to open eyes. I thought Leo softened heart. Result came in were few men holding cameras. Flash crazy flashing. “This is that escort seducing great painter Leo?” “Looks indeed spicy, no wonder can charm Leo confused.” “Heard she also imprisoned original wife? Really snake scorpion heart.” “Hurry shoot, Professor Simon said, want make her reputation completely stink.” I was stripped naked by that group. They posted photos online. Caption extremely humiliating. [Mistress knowingly mistress! Escort imprisoned original wife, wealthy grudge big reveal!] [Pure school beauty actually professional gold digger, multiple tycoons victimized!] Trending instantly exploded. Comments below all Professor Simon’s students. “Go die bitch!” “Stay away from our Professor Simon!” “How still have face live?” I dragged broken body walked out studio, saw Professor Simon. He wore gold wire glasses, whole body emitted bookish air, refined scum to extreme. “Simon, you finally came to save me.” I weakly leaned on car seat, lips cracked. Simon driving, eyes not look sideways. “Nina, matter you being escort, circling between few sugar daddies same time I already know.” I stunned. Escort? I cheat feelings cheat money, but I have my bottom line, never sell body! “Those photos not true, I didn’t do those things…” “Now students all discussing, saying I have affair with you.” “So, to let Bella rest assured, I must clear relationship with you.” Bella is his white moonlight, went abroad further study didn’t fancy him before, only had chance let me take advantage of void. When Simon said this name, tone gentle unlike words. “She came back, this time she finally turned back saw me, also afraid I simple cheated by you.” “So she specially checked your background, only found what thing you are.” “Nina, you really make me sick.” Car stopped at University gate. Exactly class over time, people coming going, countless young faces full of curiosity and inquiry. Simon got off car, dragged me down too. I stumbled, almost fell. These three days water not enter, my body already weak to extreme. “Look! Is that woman!” Group students surrounded. Holding phones, crazy taking photos at me. “Is her? That escort seducing Professor Simon?” “Looks quite pure, didn’t expect so dirty.” “Not pure how be escort?” “Heard she also a liar, played Mr. Sterling and Painter Leo around, really time management master!” “Shameless! Get out of University!” Don’t know who led, rotten vegetable leaves, eggs, leftover milk tea smashed at me face covered. Stinking smell spread. I stood embarrassed in center of crowd, whole body dirty, through hair gap looking at Simon standing high on steps. I held last trace hope, hope he can help me say few words, even one sentence okay. And he was accepting Bella interview. Bella holding microphone, face full justice. “Professor Simon, regarding rumors on forum, please respond, what exactly relationship you and this lady?” Simon pushed glasses, gaze passed crowd, coldly fell on me. That moment. I remembered countless nights. He wrote paper in study, I peeled fruit for him aside. He looked up, tired eyes would light up a bit starlight because seeing me. He said: “Nina, only by your side, I feel peaceful.” Now. He in front of everyone, thin lips lightly opened. “I don’t know her.” Last string in my brain, broke. Four words. Denied our three years getting along. Denied all my giving to him. Denied my dignity as a human. Surrounding abuse sound louder. Burning pain. Someone rushed up pushed me, someone pulled my hair slapped me. I like rat crossing street, everyone shouts beat. Simon hugged Bella waist, turned leave. Left me a decisive back. I looked at them, suddenly laughed. This is three top preys I carefully selected. One want send me die. One want imprison torture me. One want make me ruined reputation spat by thousands. Really good, finally collected all. Chapter 4 I dragged full body filth and wounds, returned to my rented apartment. Here is my only haven, also my last stage. I took a shower. Washed off dirty things on body, washed off blood on wounds. Looking at myself in mirror. Face pale, eye sockets deep, neck still has purple strangle mark left by Leo. Really ugly. But my eyes very bright. I slept whole day then sent message to three of them. [Game over, I wait you in hell.] After sending message, I started makeup. Painted most exquisite makeup, wore my favorite red dress. Whole person like a ball of fire, beautiful soul-stirring. Then, I went kitchen, opened gas valve. Hissing sound, like whisper of death god. I sat on living room sofa quietly waiting. Downstairs came urgent braking sound. More than one car. Looks like, they all came. I walked to window, pulled a corner of curtain. Sebastian, Leo, Simon at this moment crazy rushing upstairs. And behind them. Scarlett, Lila, Bella, chasing exasperatedly. “Sebastian! Don’t go! She must be lying to you!” “Leo! That bitch acting again!” “Simon! You promised me not see her!” I stood in kitchen, watching this scene laughed. Gaze swept Scarlett, Lila and Bella in turn, softly said: “Three ladies, long time no see.” Bella asked sternly but weak inside, “What you want do?” “Nothing,” I smiled miserably, “Just want invite everyone watch a show before leaving.” My gaze turned to Sebastian, tears slid down just right. “Sebastian, sorry, I just loved you too much, so stayed by your side three years.” “I never thought replacing Miss Scarlett, I just… greedy for that little warmth.” I looked at Leo again, voice choked. “Leo, your world too gray, I just wanted be a bit color in your world.” “Ms. Lila, sorry, I never thought hurting you, I just jealous, jealous you can have his whole love.” Finally, I looked at Simon, eyes desperate and deep. “Simon, I know I unworthy… I just wanted be closer to you, closer.” “Today at school, I made you difficult, sorry.” Three men all showed moved and complex expressions. And those three women, faces full of disdain and contempt. “Acted enough?” Scarlett sneered, “Who can’t pretend pitiful? Sebastian, don’t be cheated by her!” “Right,” Lila also echoed, “This kind woman do anything for money, mouth has no half sentence truth!” “Nina,” Bella high above said, “Person like you, only smear Simon, hurry go die.” I looked at their ugly faces, laughed. This laugh, full of charm, yet make heart cold. “Yes, I dirty, I cheap.” “I unworthy live.” I took out lighter. Red dress swinging, like blooming Manjusaka. Sebastian realized something, he banged kitchen door, “I believe you! I believe you okay!” “Nina! I wrong! Nina come back!” Leo also pounced over. “Nina, is me sorry you! I beg don’t light fire!” Simon roared. “Nina! You crazy!” Sebastian shouted sternly, “Open door!” Leo tone full of panic, “Nina, don’t mess around, have words say nicely.” Simon voice trembling, “Nina, you dare die try!” They anxious. Pity, late. I looked at those three men, face was sad beautiful decisive smile. “I love you, is true.” “But your love, I finally can’t afford.” I looked at them, smiling pressed lighter. “Next life, don’t meet me again.” I let go hand. “Boom——!!!” Huge explosion sound deafening. Fire light rushed to sky, instantly swallowed everything. Three people at door, overturned by huge impact force. Glass fragments splashed, smoke rolling. “Nina——!!!” Their heart-tearing lung-splitting roar, drowned in sea of fire.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390516”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

After discovering I was pregnant, I slammed the pregnancy test report in front of my playboy boyfriend. Julian Hale lit a cigarette, blew smoke rings at me, tone frivolous. “Seeing as you’ve been with me for seven years, I’ll give you two choices.” “Either get an abortion, I compensate you $1 million, and you can continue to stay by my side.” “Or give birth, you take this bastard, and roll as far away as possible.” Adults of course choose all. So I took the $1 million, Disappeared from his world without a sound. Chapter 1 I was choked by the smoke rings and couldn’t stop coughing. Everyone’s eyes in the VIP Lounge were focused on me. Julian looked at me with interest, wanting my answer. I looked at him calmly and spoke. “I choose the million.” My answer obviously satisfied Julian. Julian sneered, “Still obedient, Mia, as long as you are obedient, there will always be a place for you by my side.” He waved his big hand, signed $1.5 million on the check. Buying out my seven years of youth, not a loss anyway. Teasing sounds rang out in the lounge. “Worthy of being by Brother Julian’s side for seven years, just sensible and smart.” “Unlike mine, making noise every day wanting me to marry her, not looking at her own status!” “I say, looking for women still have to learn from Brother Julian!” The little girl in Julian’s arms was unhappy. Pouting asked, “Sister Mia has a place in your heart, what about me?” Julian smiled dotingly, drank a mouthful of wine, fed it mouth-to-mouth to Lila. “You are different from her, you are my heart’s treasure.” Lila is indeed different from me. Different from me clinging to Julian’s side desperately, Lila just passed by Julian who was buying birthday gift for me at the flower shop door. Just one glance, one glance ten thousand years. Julian fell in love with her at first sight. Even disregarded it was my birthday that night, absent from my 29th birthday party. No explanation. Julian completely disappeared from my life for a month, then brought Lila back. I spent seven years to have a place in Julian’s heart. But she only spent seven seconds. Lila smiled and handed me a glass of wine, “Sister Mia, I just came to Brother Julian’s side, understand nothing, please take care of me in the future!” I took the wine glass, doctor’s instruction in the afternoon flashed in my mind. Blurted out, “Pregnant women can’t drink alcohol.” Lila was not satisfied with this answer, she looked up at me, a pair of deer eyes looked harmless, innocent and charming. “But isn’t the child going to be aborted? Or Sister Mia actually doesn’t like me, so refuse to drink the wine I gave?” I subconsciously looked at Julian, Julian frowned at me, “Mia, you won’t play obey publicly defy privately with me right, put away your little thoughts, drink it for me now!” I took the wine glass and drank it all. Wine choked me coughing non-stop, Lila still not giving up. Poured me three more glasses successively. Julian then satisfied, Lila sat in his arms, looking at him smilingly. “Brother Julian, don’t you have something else haven’t said?” Julian hooked lips smiled, “Little jealous spirit, I didn’t forget.” Finished he knocked on the table, face serious. “From today on, Lila is your sister-in-law! I already proposed to her.” Julian raised Lila’s hand, same style diamond rings on their hands shining dazzling light. Voice just came out, cheers in the lounge constant, loud enough to shake the sky. Lila looked at me, eyes full of innocence. “Sister Mia, are you unhappy?” Her means seemed low-level to me, these years women around Julian varied, high and low means I have seen all. Julian is not blind, just he willing to indulge her. “Mia, call sister-in-law.” I squeezed out a smile, word by word said. “Hello sister-in-law, wish you happy engagement, happiness and perfection, long and lasting.” Finished, to prove my sincerity, I picked up a bottle of wine, drank it all. Julian is a romantic prodigal, countless women by his side. He once declared, won’t stop for any woman. Once I didn’t believe in evil, struggled till head broke blood flow came to his side. Thought could move him with love. I indeed was the woman stayed longest by his side. But now Lila’s arrival broke everything. Julian indeed will stop for others. Just that person was never me. Amidst bustling noise, I smilingly took pregnancy test report and check walked out. Not disturbing their good time. Chapter 2 Winter’s first heavy snow fell quietly. This is the seventh year I’ve been with Julian. He is still young, dissolute, romantic playful, craving excitement. But I am no longer young, picked up phone. Julian sent a message. “Remember to send me abortion certificate after done.” I know he afraid I obey publicly defy privately, but seeing this sentence, heart still couldn’t help dull pain. Actually before coming already prepared mentally, either marry, or break up. But no need me open mouth, Julian already made choice. Phone popped Lila’s Instagram Story. “From love at first sight to lifetime protection, Mr. Hale, please take care of me later.” Picture is two people ten fingers interlocked wearing rings. Many people liked and commented 99 (forever) below. I followed liked, took out diamond ring bought seven years ago from pocket. When bought, I myself didn’t expect, actually could entangle with Julian for seven years. Finally haven’t sent out. I bitter smiled once, threw pregnancy test report and diamond ring together into trash can. Opened phone, dialed a string of numbers. “Mm, I thought well, this time, change me leave him.” Hung up phone, I went home. Maybe baby in belly unwilling leave like this, or maybe those few glasses of wine down stomach. My abdomen came cold sharp stinging pain. I lay on bed curled into a ball, whole body cold sweat, consciousness vaguely returned to past. Knowing Julian, was my 18 year old year’s small miracle. That year I just admitted to college, escaped from beside that father who drank alcohol like life daily, gambled and domestic violence. I thought I could escape everything sad and painful. But not out three months, my father found me. Said raised me to 18, time to repay. I naturally refused, but me a thin weak girl never ate full meal since small, how beat tall big thug. I was beaten nose blue face swollen, hand and leg both broken. He robbed living expenses I earned working day and night, even my student loan. I desperately lay in alley, that moment, I really felt dying also nothing bad. Is passing Julian discovered injured me, sent me to hospital. I not grateful him, really, at least that time I not grateful him. I full chest resentment, based on what I suffer all this. Hate heaven hate earth, hate why he saved me, my desperate life still have what hope. Julian seemed saw through my everything, after I fasted again. He carried my collar, pushed me to hospital top floor rooftop. Roaring wind constantly swirled in my ear, I froze trembling. He expressionless looked at me. “You not want die? I help you! You think you die your gambler dad can get retribution?” Death one step away from me, I suddenly felt unfair. Julian said right, I did nothing wrong, based on what want me die. I tremblingly grabbed his hand, word by word said. “I don’t want die, I want live!” His face bloomed a brilliant incomparable smile, hugged me into arms. “Then live well!” After that, Hale family sponsored me in name of poor student. And my gambler father accidentally passed away because car accident. College four years, I inextricably fell in love with Julian. Graduation day, I gave myself as gift to Julian. Julian didn’t refuse. I formally stepped into Julian’s life, became one of his countless women. That time, I once really thought me and him could have future. Chapter 3 Next morning early, I got up went hospital. Booked earliest abortion surgery. Surgery went very fast, short one hour. That small life I once expected, me and Julian blood connected small life. Just disappeared like this. I sent surgery completion report to Julian. Julian didn’t reply. Observation no problem, I took taxi back home. Just entered room, saw Julian holding Lila sitting on sofa I carefully selected. Julian carefully peeled grape skin fed to Lila. Seeing me arrive, Lila touched belly smiled at me. “So coincident, Sister Mia, I also pregnant.” I covered cold abdomen, looked up at Julian. Julian doting smiled, “Little dummy, your Sister Mia child aborted today.” Looking at my pale face, Lila stuck out tongue, covered mouth pretend surprised. “Sorry, Sister Mia, I forgot Brother Julian didn’t want your child, you already aborted, really pity, if he still alive, maybe could accompany my baby!” Heart like instantly cut a hole by knife, everywhere bleeding. Julian called my child bastard, but treasured another woman’s child like jewel. Even brought another pregnant woman home on the day I lost child. Start to end, he didn’t consider my feeling. Or maybe my feeling not important to him. Because not love, so not care. Love and not love really obvious. Julian nonchalantly ordered me. “Lila just pregnant, she still young understand nothing, you just miscarriage rest, take care of her at home.” “Lila already moved to master bedroom, I have to watch her these few days, your things I already let people move to servant room.” I calmly looked at him, “You guys hire a nanny, I no time take care pregnant woman.” Lila face unhappy, “Sister Mia, others come I not assured, Brother Julian told me, he has life saving grace to you, use you assured.” “Now such simple thing you push three block four, white-eyed wolf don’t have this way of doing!” I didn’t speak, just looked at Julian self-care. “You also think like this?” Julian lit a cigarette, smoke blurred his expression. This man I once deeply loved, accompanied seven years. Now actually also became unrecognizable. Long time, he opened mouth said. “Mia, obedient.” Last trace luck in bottom of heart thoroughly shattered, I used all strength squeezed out a half-smile expression. “Since is what you want, then I give you.” Then, we owe no more. Chapter 4 Lila’s first request, was cook a lunch for her. She shouted want eat Beef Wellington. A high difficulty dish slow work fine work. Lila smilingly looked at me, “Heard Brother Julian say Sister Mia especially good at cooking, later me and baby have gourmet luck, just right saved nanny money.” I dragged weak body after miscarriage, busy in kitchen three hours. Served out, Lila wanted me personally serve into bedroom. Opened door, this bedroom I slept seven years already big change. Everything belonging to me thrown on ground like garbage. Original blank wall hung Julian and Lila group photo. Lila wearing thin strap nightdress, face shy. Chest spring light leaked, Julian hand put on it. Seeing me arrive, she commanded me put on bedside table. I just about leave, she called me. “Sister Mia, this Beef Wellington too salty, baby still small, can’t eat so salty.” “You make another portion for me!” I saw it, Lila is sincere want torture me. Julian looked at my pale face, broken record spoke a word for me. “Lila, how about I order hotel takeout?” Lila looked Julian once, then looked me once, suddenly started dropping tears. “But people just suddenly want eat, I also can’t control myself, baby also want eat!” “Brother Julian, do you blame me matter many? All me bad, I shouldn’t let Sister Mia cook for me!” See her shed tears, Julian face heartache, hugged Lila in arms comforted again and again. “Mia, go make another light portion.” Whole afternoon, I back and forth, tirelessly made three times. Full stood five hours. Whole body like fished out from water. Just returned servant room, haven’t had time pack my luggage packed like garbage. I paralyzed on bed curled into a ball hugging belly, abdomen came bone piercing pain. Like someone holding countless needles stabbing on it. Heart but more painful than it. Haven’t waited me sleep, Julian suddenly kicked open my door. Face was anger unable to conceal. He grabbed me up from bed, fiercely smashed on wall. “Mia, did I say don’t move your those little thoughts!” I pain to tremble, face puzzled looked at him. “I moved what little thoughts?” Julian patted my face, “Still pretending with me now, who told you Lila allergic to mango?” “Mia, I never thought your mind actually so deep, also right, back then lowly climbed to my bed, I should have known your ambition not small!” “You think you harmed me and Lila child death, I can let you have child? You dream, Mia, child born from your belly, forever is bastard!” Didn’t listen my explanation, he dragged me like dead dog to Lila front. Completely ignored my body already hit by corners to blue purple. Julian put me before Lila window, fiercely kicked my knee, forced me kneel on ground. Voice unable conceal disgust. “Kowtow apologize to Lila and baby!” Lila lying on bed, face red unable breathe look, speaking but didn’t affect half bit. “Sister Mia, I know you lost child very sad, but you also can’t harm my child, he is innocent!” Finished she threw into Julian arms, face full sorrow despair. “Brother Julian, our child won’t have matter right, save our child!” Julian hugged her in arms, “Lila, fine, I already contacted ambulance, five minutes arrive.” I supported body hard, word by word said. “Julian Hale, I didn’t add other things in Beef Wellington!” “I swear, if I say one sentence lie, let me die bad death.” Julian sneered, a kick to my stomach. Adult man kick without holding back force, I straight flew out. Back hit on wall, spit out a big mouthful blood. See me spit blood, Julian just cold eye watching. “Death near, still want stubborn mouth, Mia, when did you become so vicious? I really regret saved you back then!” “If Lila and child have any matter, Mia, I will let you know what is regret too late!” I like a dead dog, lying on ground. Mouth constantly gushing fresh blood. Actually not only Julian regret, I also regret. Regret meeting him, more regret loving him. Put in life best seven years. Irrigated sun belonging to others. Looking at his back figure holding Lila decisive leaving without hesitation. Back then Julian just like this took me towards new life. Now also him personally send me despair. Julian Hale, you me henceforth no need meet again.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390532”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

Me and my husband both cheated. He is real, I am also real. Only he was active, I was passive. On the night he and the Innocent Flower were exposed, he got me drunk, stripped me naked and sent me to a stranger’s bed, posed in various humiliating positions, just to take photos of my infidelity. Our cheating photos were exposed one after another. Thereby offsetting public criticism of the Innocent Flower. A huge sense of nausea pressed me to retch violently, red marks all over my body, didn’t know how much that stranger touched me, used what method… Husband saw my face full of sorrow, numbly scrubbing until skin red swollen bleeding, just helplessly explained. “I had no other choice, Zoe has strict family upbringing, can’t stand being called a mistress, she will have an accident.” Overwhelming scolding online. Only relative, Grandpa Vance was stimulated to Heart Attack, entered emergency rescue. To protect myself, I must protect her. I clarified under media spotlight as he wished. “We are not cheating, me and Lucas Sterling separated long ago.” … Chapter 1 Seeing me so obedient, Lucas softened. He stood in the shadow, already sent the Innocent Flower to a safe place. He promised me. “Only this once, I promise, this time thing sudden, I…” I looked at him, voice somewhat choked. “How did things on my body come.” A breath held me uncomfortable, I felt so dirty. Like being pinched, also like being kissed… Really like experiencing a chilling sex. Who did it, I don’t know. Since childhood pampered me where suffered this grievance. Lucas stunned, long time he then reacted, what I said. He hurriedly explained. “Don’t be afraid, these red marks were made by me, no one dare touch you casually, just taking photos.” I dead pinched fingers. “If I were your mistress, would you for protecting me, let Zoe take these large scale photos, would you agree?” Lucas avoided my sight. “I don’t know, she is different from you.” Yes, whether I am his mistress, or wife. I am never the priority option. A tear slid down, I pushed him out. Really disgusting! Me and Lucas were childhood sweethearts, well-matched families, once recognized as a perfect pair, received most people’s blessing, after marriage we indeed had a period of loving days. Until he started cheating. He never made it public. Only privately vented with me. “We all come quietly, won’t affect your status at all, outside no one look down on you.” In our circle, all know love is not very important. I indeed loved him, also angry, made trouble. Even imagined like those little girls, cut wrist, make things big, fish die net break. However thought of childhood education, forget it. I chose to turn a blind eye. But didn’t expect, my this retreat, instead let them advance inch by inch hurt. Grandpa must be very sad, then angry to enter hospital. Lucas only remembered Innocent Flower can’t stand being stimulated, but forgot, this old man who treated him as biological grandson doting has heart disease, more can’t stand stimulation. I pinched fingers. Allowed myself sad for few seconds, then quickly became strong. Isn’t it just a divorce. Also not what difficult thing. I went company find Lucas. Inside very lively, many people fawning on Zoe. Lucas took me to office. He saw me holding divorce agreement and other documents, somewhat unhappy. “Actually no need like this, netizens matter pass very fast.” He now already can with Zoe openly show affection in public. They hold hands, really become a pair of beloved couple. Even heard, Lucas and Zoe went back hometown, saw her family, two people waited until cloud open see moon bright. I dead bit lip, during Grandpa hospitalization, Lucas didn’t come once. I just not worth for Grandpa, treated Lucas as biological grandson doted for so long. Sometimes conflict. Grandpa would first find if it is my reason, speak good words for him. “Roxy, Grandpa knows you strong rational, sometimes in love like this, boys don’t like.” Traditional old people always think this can family harmony, not knowing management lack one side won’t work. This relationship, Lucas long gave up, what use me dragging alone. I still handed pen to him. “Do you think netizens are that stupid? Signing real divorce also good to stop those doubting mouths, I don’t want Grandpa wake up suffer stimulation again.” Zoe also echoed. “Sister Roxy said reasonable.” Lucas brows eased a lot. “Wait pass this limelight, we remarry, I said, your status forever won’t change, you are forever Vance family hostess.” I gently smiled, didn’t answer. After all I also don’t rare. Past didn’t mention divorce because two companies highly linked, but these years, I slowly transferred, implication became less and less. Also all thanks to Lucas. Once, Lucas for helping Zoe vent anger, killed an innovation subsidiary I just established. Reason just I stopped a card under name. Caused Zoe payment failed swiping card in mall, ridiculed and questioned by people. Lucas indiscriminately leaked my company secrets. He indifferently lay on rocking chair. “Roxanne Vance, is you first used those dirty means caused Zoe embarrassed, besides all are our joint property, these secrets highly bind with my company, I want handle how then handle how.” My company bankrupt. Whole year hard work. In office a group dejected employees, everyone’s effort hoped get a good result, result became like this. I angry extreme, a slap fanned on Lucas face. “I didn’t do, are you human, you let me have what explanation to employees! Don’t you know R&D need invest how much time energy?” Lucas didn’t listen, he full heart full eyes only that red eyed Zoe. Even to force me apologize to Zoe, used cash flow gave pressure to Grandpa company. I afraid affect him old man, could only swallow this breath. Reluctantly found Zoe apologize. Lucas afterwards learned misunderstanding, was himself took wrong card gave Zoe. I only stopped my own card. He found me apologize, still wanted spend anniversary with me. “I didn’t expect took wrong card, company matter, I compensate you one, you also didn’t explain clear with me.” I laughed in anger, he completely didn’t listen my explanation, determined is my sin. I defended, he didn’t listen that’s all. Anniversary of course didn’t pass, because Zoe headache. From then on, my all assets all split with Lucas. Registered divorce application. Zoe noisily pulled Lucas. “We register marriage ba, you promised me.” Lucas always sizing up my face, seeing me always faint. Don’t know if my illusion, his face stinky few points, pulled Zoe left. Chapter 2 That day back, Grandpa woke. He eagerly wanted know answer. “You really cheated?” I helped him wipe face, while clarify. “No, we long separated, both not cheating.” Grandpa unable understand. “How possible, you guys so match, previous period still promised give me a grandson.” He held cup heavily smashed on table. “You tell honest words, how good two people became like this.” My eye rims sour, still admitted. Grandpa seeing my enduring look, like knew something, repeatedly sigh. “Forget it, rarely see you this look, grew up, not elders can manage.” I finally sighed relief. As long as Grandpa no opinion, then I relieved. His expectation to Lucas too heavy. In whole world, he most hoped me and Lucas together. Lucas also came, at door he heard this sentence, stopped steps. I afraid he affect Grandpa, hurriedly took him to next door. He lowered head. “Actually, you can tell truth to Grandpa, no need for keeping my face, like this he won’t pressure you, Roxy, we are best partners, but those love really gone, your Grandpa said right, you too rational.” I nod approve his latter half sentence. As for first half sentence, I smiled, I not say truth. Not for him, I just don’t want Grandpa angry, guilty back then matchmade us so much. Then better like this, let Grandpa emotion stable. As for him, count as what. Just as we conversed, Zoe screaming crying voice came from Grandpa ward. “Don’t hit me, Grandpa, I just good heart come see you.” Accompanied Grandpa violent cough sound. “Who allowed you come…” My heart raised to throat, hurriedly rushed back ward. Grandpa fell on floor, desperately coughing, while pointing Zoe. “Get out! You nonsense.” Zoe covered face, fell in Lucas arms. Grandpa already angry vomiting blood. He pointed Lucas and Zoe, gradually fainted. I was scared bad, immediately called nurse, sent Grandpa into emergency room. At door, Lucas and me started dispute. “How can Grandpa move hand hit people, you look beat Zoe into what look, he again angry also can’t like this, besides Zoe is good heart come visit…” Chattering noisy made me annoyed. “Enough, this matter I will investigate clear, ugly things she did don’t expect I let go.” I dead stared Zoe, wished skin her cramp tendon. Lucas blocked my sight. “Roxanne Vance, this matter is Grandpa wrong…” He chattered accusing Grandpa’s fault, completely didn’t care truth, until doctor opened door stopped talk head. “Where is family.” I walked forward, hearing critical notice directly slid on floor, my strong held reason completely collapsed. I step forward want hit Zoe. “What exactly you said to my Grandpa!” Lucas dead blocked me, even heavily pushed me to wall, hit back pain. “Roxanne Vance, you don’t push problem to Zoe, she just come visit, can’t do anything.” My tears constantly falling, Lucas figure stunned. I really completely heart dead. Why I rational, because that emotional person long killed by them. I hatefully stared them. “Wait and see.” I definitely will find truth, return Grandpa a justice. Ward has surveillance, but Zoe schemed blocked all, only saw her back, approached said something. Then Grandpa furious, angry vomit blood. Zoe immediately defend. “I just said let him take care body, who expected old man suddenly hit on my face, I am the aggrieved one.” What a clumsy, full of loopholes reason. I don’t believe, Grandpa never like this. Must be Zoe said something random. I eagerly grabbed her. “What exactly you random said! Who allowed you come see my Grandpa, what thing are you.” She pursed mouth pretend aggrieved, eye bottom however revealed obvious provocation. Grandpa is my only relative, my emotion no longer can suppress, pulled her fiercely slapped a slap. Zoe didn’t expect I would move hand, scared scream. We two fight in hospital corner, she can’t beat me, face already scratched by me. Noise also gathered not few crowd. Lucas finally dragged my arm, pulled us apart, he impulse under raised hand gave me a slap. “You look you like what words, what difference with crazy person.” Tears still couldn’t help fall. I kept half life rich girl look, I also don’t want vent like a shrew, but that is my Grandpa! I no way rational. Lucas first time see me this look, pretend generous want end topic. “This matter stop here, who also don’t quarrel again.” I unbelievable looking him, voice also became sharp. “Lucas Sterling, don’t forget, my Grandpa even saved your life.” Zoe panting rough air also not satisfied this result. “She beat me like this, based on what.” Lucas gave her a Black Card as compensation. When looking at me, he also finally carried some guilt. “Zoe sudden visit is her wrong, but she no bad mind, and beaten by you like this, Grandpa matter, I will compensate later.” “But I not allow you question Zoe like this, you no evidence prove she did anything wrong.” I stumbled few steps, face burning pain. “Lucas Sterling, my this life most regret is meeting you.” I definitely will find evidence. All blame me today relaxed vigilance. I didn’t expect Zoe shameless to harm Grandpa. Lucas brows tight frown. Next second, his face also got a slap. My Roxanne Vance face never is who can hit. Just then, medical staff hurriedly ran over. “Who is family, patient has words say to family, quick follow me.” I instant legs soft. Subconsciously afraid. I afraid is what bad news. Why say is have words say to me, first time should tell me Grandpa how is it. But I dare not ask, I really afraid. Lucas finally also chased up. No matter how Zoe shouted, he followed me over. Seem finally remembered Grandpa good. I no time care him, just numbly advance. Arrived emergency room door, we all want go in, nurse blocked him. “Family can enter.” Lucas subconsciously refute. “Am I not family, you guys can’t stop me.” But nurse didn’t care. “Old man specially ordered, he no words say to you, only let granddaughter come.” I followed nurse inside. Finally saw Grandpa, he full body tubes inserted, I regardless everything cry pain. “Grandpa…” He barely kept a trace awake, handed a recording pen to me. That was once he missed me, wanted record my funny voice, those beautiful we get along bought. But didn’t expect finally used here. I choked with sobs. “Grandpa you don’t have trouble, I wrong, is me didn’t take care you well, I didn’t expect Zoe dare follow here, I should think one step more.” Grandpa shook head, he kindly touched my head. “Grandpa fine, originally just a bag old bones, and rescued back, I so anxious call you, just that woman framed you, she said your family style rotten, destroy other family, I at once angry not over.” Hearing Grandpa fine, my heart then finally disappeared back. Also from Grandpa mouth knew truth. Zoe framed me be mistress, Lucas wore green hat then fell in love with her, she wanted let Grandpa later stop me appear, don’t interfere Lucas and her matter again, if can angry die him, let me painful, then she also very happy. I dead pinched fingers, hate in eyes almost unable suppress. “Grandpa you rest assured, I definitely will let her pay price.” Grandpa relieved nod. I from teenage take charge family business, long not little girl, Grandpa should rest assured me, he too worried I rational, so thousand select hundred pick chose Lucas. Came out from ward, I didn’t expect Lucas also still at door, Innocent Flower sent away by him first. He see is me hurry ask. “How is Grandpa.” He actually still worry? Really funny. I casually “Mm”ed once. Lucas also sighed relief, he somewhat guilty. “Grandpa became like this, I also didn’t want,” I lazy care him. Didn’t want also became like this. “I don’t want see you.” My cold look stabbed Lucas. He held my hand. “Go out drink something ba, see you scared face pale, you if boiled bad, that not good.” Gentle tone as if past loving period. He afraid I suffer a bit bitter. However everything became empty. Recall again not smart move. “No need, I still have things.” Still waiting send his Innocent Flower to prison. She intentional come provoke, then don’t blame me hand not keep mercy. Chapter 3 After that day, Lucas home times more, just every time I like facial paralysis general. He somewhat can’t stand, words also became more. “Roxanne Vance, I today specially pushed date to accompany you, you just give me such a face, I said, you just not suit date people, lifetime run like a machine, most match with your pile work.” He seem joke, but faintly carrying expectation. I also smiled, deliberately sarcasm. “I busy sending your Innocent Flower to jail, what, happy? Is it feel this work very interesting.” Smile on Lucas face instant fell. His tone became ice cold. “Roxanne Vance, you must find trouble from nothing right, I said this matter passed, besides you indiscriminately beat Zoe like that, I didn’t say anything, just considering Grandpa very important to you.” I rolled eyes. “Funny, thank you this three melons two dates concern, what you need do is just don’t random mix.” Before matter not completely handled well, I won’t reveal specific to Lucas. He angry slammed door out. That night, he and Innocent Flower again troubled on Trending. Even more, he first time took Innocent Flower home. In front my face kiss, intimate. He thought this can make me angry, but didn’t expect next second doorbell rang. Lucas thought is ordered cake, didn’t expect is a group wearing uniform people enter. “Hello, who is Zoe, suspected intentional injury crime, please follow us walk a trip.” Zoe froze. Even Lucas also unbelievable ask. “Is it mistaken something, impossible, where would Zoe do that kind thing.” He later realized is what, gaze looked towards me. “Roxanne Vance? You called police?” I stepped forward admit, and identify with police. “Correct is me called police, comrade, is this woman, I have evidence, what material all prepared complete, not accept any mediation, only need let her go in sit jail.” Zoe eye rims instant red, pulling Lucas. “Lucas, last time I beaten like that, Sister still want continue frame me.” “I really didn’t do anything, just went saw old person, why must force me die, could it be want me jump building then can prove innocence.” Lucas moved anger. “Roxanne Vance, you better explain, said passed, you do these for what.” I threw off his hand. “I also said, me and her no reconciliation, Grandpa is my most important person, based on what you feel you can finger foot to me.” Lucas angered by me speechless. “You better find out evidence, otherwise I will also counter sue you framing.” I indifferent nod. “Accompany to end, my all evidence handed police, they think Zoe indeed guilty then catch person, idiot.” Lucas doubtfully looked at Zoe. Zoe face pale. “Not is, I really didn’t.” She also only know some harm people means, rest know nothing, stupid to life. Only Lucas this kind person will like Innocent Flower. Inferior man. Police took out handcuffs took away Zoe. She only call Lucas. “Save me, I didn’t, I don’t want sit jail.” Lucas also guarantee to her. “Definitely will truth white, you don’t fear.” I almost applaud for these two people. Lucas start everywhere investigate, seek evidence, he still believe his canary is innocent, everything is I intentional revenge. I advise him save heart. “You have that time, better put time on company, my cash flow all pulled away, shares also sold, recent situation not very good.” Lucas anxious scorched head rotten forehead, raise hand even want hit me. Finally still didn’t hand down. “Roxy, we must walk to this step? When you became this look, I past thought you just love work, not so care people, too cold, but didn’t expect you now all scheme, intentional thinking harm people.” I raise hand just gave him a slap. “Put away your those self-righteous pride, I harm people? You this idiot is how stupid, believe Zoe words.” Finished, I click recording pen play that day recording. Zoe clear voice came. “You old immortal lived so long, heart not good useless not stand scare, I if tell you, your granddaughter is sold, will you be angry die, Lucas is the victim, she still thick face pester Lucas side.” Then, Grandpa angry scold, used all strength fanned a slap, seek justice for me. Lucas listening recording, brows eyes all doubt. He still subconsciously defend. “No, is this recording fake.” Simply no save. “Then you talk to police go.” Lucas didn’t come bother me again. I peace mind take care Grandpa, while prepare court session. Grandpa face apology. “Granddaughter ah, all blame Grandpa not good, Grandpa initially still not willing let you divorce, didn’t expect this bastard now become like this, you say, before how good a boy, now not human not ghost.” I amused by his saying. “Not human not ghost, quite suitable, Grandpa, we live our life well fine, later others, all don’t care.” Grandpa nod agree. “Grandpa later also not so move anger, we grandpa granddaughter good live days.” Lucas didn’t know when come. He brought gift for Grandpa, didn’t open mouth beg mercy for Zoe. “Grandpa, matter I will investigate clear, lucky you fine.” Grandpa didn’t give him good face again. He conscious guilty, left. Left Lucas heart always feel strange, have a inexplicable emptiness, more and more big. Let him very no security sense. He lit long not smoked cigarette, this is Zoe forced him quit. Think back Roxanne Vance mentioned countless times, he all used can’t quit as excuse. But didn’t expect, finally for Zoe, one month gave up this bad habit. He didn’t like Roxanne Vance, too rational, which man not like sweet type. Also maybe age became big, before felt capable nature, later felt not want, very boring, want experience other different. So he really for Zoe gave up many, broke once many not do things. He still dare not believe, so simple little girl can say so vicious words. He these days all comforting Zoe. “Fine, police will investigate clear, you don’t fear, I believe you.” Zoe face however didn’t get a trace relax, she just begging Lucas. “You tell Roxy Sister a sound, let me out, I don’t want wait court session, I afraid, I later how live.” Lucas somewhat unhappy. “You again didn’t do those things, judge won’t wrong you, go up soon come down, have what afraid.” Zoe bitter face dare not say. Where she dare say really those words she said, can only constantly beg Lucas, let her go communicate with Roxanne Vance. Originally agreed good, don’t know why. Arrived Roxanne Vance front, heard those words, heart blocked uncomfortable. He first time generated doubt Zoe thought. This simple girl, maybe not as he thought. He didn’t open mouth say those requests, instead gave up intervene. He felt just let court judge. This time, if really is Zoe did, he won’t soft hand. Roxanne Vance family has grace to him, plus past really loved, have feeling, no matter what, he won’t walk to mutual kill that step. Zoe did wrong thing, must punish. He finally put gaze back company, then found related Zhang family everything long culled clean. He bottom heart surge a stream anger. “You guys do what eat, this kind thing not tell me.” Employee very aggrieved. After all initially said, just happen Lucas and Roxanne Vance quarrel, he thought Roxanne Vance again what trick, simply said down. “Whatever she do, I still not believe can turn sky.” Didn’t expect later really completely gone. Roxanne Vance really want draw clear line with him.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390549”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel