Category: English

I knew from the beginning. Julian Hale never got over the ex-girlfriend who almost cost him half his life. He allowed me to stay by his side for five years, promising me a title, Only because I was more obedient than Madison. I wouldn’t cry and say he trampled on my dignity with money when he gave expensive gifts. Nor would I threaten to break up over his scandalous rumors, staging a “chasing wife” drama. So on our wedding day, he felt justified running off to comfort Madison. Leaving me alone to face the embarrassment of the full venue. The officiant tried awkwardly to smooth things over, while his rich buddies laughed in a group: “Sister-in-law, being a wealthy wife isn’t that easy. Consider today our first lesson for you!” Unfortunately, Julian and they all calculated wrong. I didn’t swallow my pride to marry into a wealthy family, begging him to change his mind. Instead, I took off my wedding dress on the spot, took the money Julian gave me over the years, and quietly left New York. Chapter 1 Three hours past the ceremony time, Julian still hadn’t appeared. Ignoring the sympathetic or mocking gazes around me, I calmly removed the white veil pinned in my hair. Connor Hale leaned against the door, sneering with a curled lip: “Can’t wait already? Julian is just a little late. Want to be the future mistress of the Hale family, but don’t have this little patience?” I didn’t look up, continuing to face the mirror, taking off the matching jewelry piece by piece. His cousin, who always looked down on me, leaned in, persuading with a soft voice: “Sister-in-law, don’t take it to heart. Cousin Julian is always punctual. Today… maybe Madison is suddenly sick and needs his care~” She deliberately said the name “Madison” slowly and clearly, her exquisite eyes unable to hide her schadenfreude. I looked at her expression in the mirror and suddenly laughed. “Take it to heart?” I repeated, gently placing the last earring back into the jewelry box. “Why should I take it to heart?” The air in the dressing room suddenly quieted. I turned around, my gaze calmly sweeping over faces with various expressions. “You guys don’t really think I’ve been waiting for him for these three hours, do you?” Connor’s face darkened: “Scarlett, what do you mean?” I stood up, fingers touching the zipper on the back of the wedding dress, slowly pulling it down. “This dress is quite expensive. Pity not to take a few photos.” My tone was as flat as discussing someone else’s affairs. “Scarlett, don’t be ungrateful!” Someone couldn’t help but speak up. “It’s a huge grace that Julian is willing to give you a title. You want to play the runaway bride game? I tell you, if you dare walk out this door today, there will be no place for you in New York tomorrow!” Zipper down to the bottom, the gorgeous wedding dress slipped off. I had already changed into a plain shirt and pants underneath. I bent down, finding my old phone used for years from that pile of jewelry worth millions. Then, looked at every pair of eyes staring at me in the room, smiling faintly: “I never belonged here anyway.” “So, there’s nothing to lose.” With that, I ignored their stunned expressions and walked out without looking back. Julian is the sole heir of the Hale family in New York. Naturally, those around him are rich kids who grew up in piles of money. They always looked down on me. Compared to them, my background was like a glass bead mixed into a pile of pearls. No one knew why Julian chose me. So even if I was about to become his wife, the contempt in their tone never diminished by half. The person who disappeared today was clearly him, but in the end, I was the one facing criticism and ridicule. I should have had a good fight with them, returning the grievances and injustices accumulated over five years one by one. But I didn’t have time. I was leaving New York tonight and had to rush back to pack. Julian fleeing the wedding today, I wasn’t surprised at all. The night before the wedding, tossing and turning in bed, I opened my phone and accidentally entered Madison’s livestream. At 3 AM, she was still selling cosmetics hard in front of the camera. Years after leaving Julian, she didn’t seem to be living easily. The popularity of the livestream was unexpectedly high. But most people didn’t come for cosmetics, but were attracted by the constant screen-flooding gifts and that mysterious Top Donor. [Turn off the stream, go rest.] [Your stomach condition can’t handle staying up late. Madison, if you faint again, I won’t go take care of you.] [Unblock me, send me your account number, I’ll transfer you some money.] [I’m getting married tomorrow. Don’t contact me again, and stop putting on that pitiful look.] Accompanied by every cold text, dazzling gift animations filled the screen. Julian was generous to everyone, even to this ex-girlfriend he once hated to the bone, spending money like water. Madison’s voice explaining products already carried a slight tremor. She lowered her head to wipe the corner of her eye, voice so light it was almost inaudible: “Julian, don’t use money to insult our past feelings.” [Did we have feelings?] [Madison, for you, I almost lost half my life. I fell out with my family, even to force myself to forget you, I’m marrying a woman I don’t love at all tomorrow. I wanted to erase all your traces like a madman. It was you who let go first, you destroyed everything between us.] I stared at the phrase “woman I don’t love at all,” stunned for a rare moment. The comment section was already out of control, full of “Get back together” and “Don’t get married.” Madison bit her lower lip tightly, looking at the camera with red eyes: “Julian. If I say, I’m willing to come back to you, willing to pay any price to make up for it.” “Can you… not get married?” Chapter 2 I didn’t see Julian’s answer, but his absence today explained everything. It’s no secret that Julian can’t let go of Madison. Two years ago, my back injury relapsed. Julian insisted on giving up the superior medical conditions in New York and took me to a hospital thousands of miles away in the north. As expected, we met Madison in that hospital. She was still like the old photo in Julian’s wallet, young, beautiful, innocent. Julian supported my waist, looking at her expressionlessly, gaze obscure. But only I knew, the second Madison appeared. Julian’s fingers around my waist tightened suddenly, so hard that I frowned slightly. “Sorry, I didn’t know you would come here…” The girl retreated a few steps in panic. “I’m leaving now. I said I wouldn’t disturb you again.” Julian’s Adam’s apple rolled. I stood quietly aside, gaze falling on the tattoo on her collarbone. A puppy that looked very much like Julian’s dog. Indeed, a good match with the kitten on Julian’s collarbone. “Move.” Julian’s voice was cold as ice. But waiting for the elevator, his eyes kept drifting to the end of the corridor. “Hold it tight.” I said, “Don’t lose it.” The black card Madison held was Julian’s supplementary card. He was a man of clear boundaries. People who offended him in business never had a chance of reconciliation. And that unlimited black card was probably the last bit of warmth, a way out he gave the girl. Even though he said she was the person he least wanted to contact in this life. On the way back, a rainstorm suddenly started. Julian held the steering wheel with one hand, somewhat distracted. Phone screen lit up. A number not saved in contacts. He glanced at it and slammed the brakes. I rushed forward, forehead hitting the windshield hard. Blood gushed out instantly. “Julian…” Suppressed sobbing came from the phone. “Sorry, I really shouldn’t call you… but my mom is critically ill, the hospital says it’s urgent, I don’t know who else to call…” “I’m so scared… I…” Julian looked at me, panic unable to be hidden in his eyes: “Scarlett, you go back first, I have something urgent.” I rarely saw Julian like this. Even when the company faced life and death, he hadn’t been this panicked. Panicked enough to let me get off at a highway exit late at night. Panicked enough to drive recklessly in the rainstorm. Panicked enough to forget, on a winter night of minus five degrees, I was only wearing a thin shirt. He just left. Leaving me shivering in the howling cold wind. The highway exit was desolate. I couldn’t call a car. After standing in the cold wind for nearly four hours, Julian came back with hazard lights flashing. Obvious fatigue between his brows. “Madison fainted.” I lowered my eyes. “Arrived at the hospital only to find out her mother was just hospitalized normally. She exaggerated the condition in a panic. I turned to leave, she fainted from emotional agitation. She’s fine now.” He approached, holding my hands red from cold. “Sorry, made you wait alone for so long… She’s been in a bad state recently, I was afraid she would do something stupid.” I didn’t know what to say. “Have you really… let her go?” I heard my own voice asking. If he really couldn’t let go, I wouldn’t tactlessly continue to stand in the middle. After driving far away, Julian whispered: “There’s nothing about letting go or not. I’m not a fool to hang myself on one tree.” “Just… seeing her helpless now, felt a bit pitiful.” Oh. So he hasn’t let go. Since then, Julian consciously hid all news related to Madison from me. I knew, but I didn’t care. Because every time after he got involved with Madison, the jewelry or real estate he casually compensated me with was enough for an ordinary person to strive for a lifetime. So what? One can’t refuse real money for self-esteem. Chapter 3 Because everyone knew how much Julian cared about Madison, they never thought I could stay by his side for long. So when we announced our marriage, almost everyone thought it was incredible. A week before the wedding banquet, Connor organized a grand bachelor party. He booked the most high-end private club in the city, inviting the most playful socialites in the circle. All with exquisite makeup and slender figures. Of course, Madison was invited too. I had no reaction. Instead, Julian frowned slightly, whispering to me: “These people play without limits. If you feel uncomfortable, find an excuse to go back first later.” Just as he was about to lead me inside, Connor blocked the way smiling: “Sister-in-law, you don’t usually come to our gatherings. It’s normal not to be used to it.” Wearing a deep V black shirt, he handed me a glass of champagne. “Our circle is like this, playing open, different from your rhythm of living a steady life.” I smiled, took the glass, and took a sip. Looking down to adjust my skirt, tone calm: “It’s okay, as long as you enjoy yourselves. Just don’t play too late. Watch Julian for me, don’t let him drink too much.” Julian was obviously stunned, seeming not to expect my reaction. Connor didn’t notice his brother’s strangeness, putting his arm around Julian’s shoulder: “Julian, sister-in-law said so, what are you waiting for? Come in!” “I specially messaged Madison to come. Last single night, rare opportunity.” For Connor’s childish provocation, my heart had no waves, just calmly waved at Julian. Unexpectedly, he suddenly grabbed my wrist, brows locked tight: “Scarlett, what do you mean? Pushing me out?” Pushing you out? But when did you ever truly belong to me? I felt it a bit laughable, looking up and asking back: “Then if I say, I don’t want you to go, don’t want you to see Madison, can you agree?” Inside the private room, lights were blurry, music restless. I looked at Julian quietly. Connor spoke before him, raising his voice: “Julian! Everyone is waiting!” Julian’s eyes flickered, Adam’s apple rolled, finally letting go of my hand. “Scarlett, wait for me at home.” Before he finished, he was pulled in forcefully by Connor. Standing in the shadow of the corridor, I glanced through the door crack, turned and left, never looking back. On the way out, a loud noise suddenly came from the next private room. Followed by a girl’s suppressed crying. Very familiar, sounded like Madison. Just as I approached, the door was pushed open violently. A man stumbled out covering his bleeding forehead, smelling of alcohol: “Who do you think you are? Dare to hit me?” “This isn’t over today!” Madison looked up, looking like she suffered a huge grievance. “I don’t know you! You kept pestering me!” The man was exasperated: “You slut pretending to be pure! Either pay up, or don’t think about leaving tonight!” Madison’s eyes reddened, tears swirling but stubbornly held back. Red eyes swept towards me. “Laugh if you want… I have no backer, but I’m not lower than anyone. Don’t look down on me!” Speaking as if the person humiliating her right now was me. The man steadied himself, grabbing her wrist. “Then pay.” “I have no money.” “Then drink all this wine, and I’ll let you go.” The man glimpsed the corner of the black card in her bag. “Using this kind of card and telling me no money?” “No!” Madison cried out, “This can’t be touched!” “I’ll drink!” She squatted by the coffee table, grabbing the bottle and pouring it into her mouth. Alcohol choked her into coughing violently, but she wouldn’t stop. I couldn’t stand it. “How much, I’ll pay.” “Don’t need your hypocrisy!” Madison screamed out of control. She raised her hand, slapping me hard. “It’s all your fault! You stole Julian!” “Didn’t you call me here today just to show off you’re marrying him? You think I don’t know?!” “Now using money to trample my dignity! I don’t want your charity!” Ears buzzing. Spinning, I saw the door pushed open, Julian rushed in, passing me. He held the trembling girl tightly in his arms. “Madison, stop being cowardly, hit back!” “Why didn’t you use the money I gave you!” I almost couldn’t stand steady. Holding the wall, cheek burning with pain. “Scarlett!” Julian looked at me, eyes cold as ice. “You said go back first, just to come here to trouble Madison?!” I opened my mouth, said nothing, turned and left. Of course he wouldn’t know, I wished he thought I did it. After all, the more he hates me, the cleaner I can leave. Julian finally returned home at 3 AM smelling of smoke and alcohol. I hadn’t slept, checking immigration procedures in the study. He leaned over, hugging me from behind, chin on my shoulder, hot breath mixed with alcohol spraying on my ear. “Why haven’t you slept? Waiting for me?” “Mm. Is Madison okay?” “Sorry, I misunderstood you. That man deliberately troubled Madison. I handled it, sent her home and came back.” He nuzzled my neck, tone fawning: “I kept checking my phone, you didn’t send a single message. Still angry?” I really wasn’t in the mood to deal with him. Who knew he was extra clingy today, insisting on turning my face to look into my eyes. “Jealous? I swear, I didn’t touch Madison, Connor can testify. I didn’t touch any of those girls, didn’t give contact info.” I looked at him for a long time, finally sighed, resignedly supporting him to the bedroom. Chapter 4 First time I met Julian was by the old book stall outside the north gate of NYU. He probably just came out of the club opposite, holding a black umbrella, face gloomy, like he just had a big fight. Just as he was about to get in the car, the stall owner suddenly grabbed me trying to put back an old dictionary. “Stop! Page corner folded, you have to buy this book!” “I just opened it to look… this crease was already there.” I tried to explain, voice drifting in the wind. Owner relentless: “I say you did it, you did it! Thirty dollars, don’t leave without a cent less!” During the struggle, the backpack strap couldn’t bear the load, ripped open, books scattering all over the ground. The student loan overdue notice sandwiched in the book floated out, instantly soaked by puddle water. Just as I squatted to pick it up, a black umbrella steadied over my head. “How much?” Julian’s voice wasn’t loud, but carried an unquestionable coldness. The owner froze, looked up at him and the car behind him, momentum instantly weakened: “Th… thirty…” Julian didn’t speak. Assistant behind him already pulled out a bill and handed it over. Owner took the money, muttering and retreating behind the stall. He then looked down at me. Gaze swept over my soaked hair, finally landing on that crumpled tuition bill. “Which school?” “…NYU.” He nodded, handed the umbrella to me, squatted down himself, picking up my books soaked in dirty water one by one, stacking them. I stood there blankly holding the umbrella, watching him take off his trench coat, putting it on my thin sweater without refusal. “Get in, I’ll send you back.” His car was parked by the road, interior spotless, heating on high. “Short of money?” He looked ahead, tone flat as discussing weather. “Mm.” “Name?” “…Scarlett.” He tapped the steering wheel twice, seeming to think. “Follow me. Your tuition, living expenses, I’ll cover. Plus, $50,000 monthly allowance.” Reason told me to refuse immediately. This was too absurd, unreasonable. No free lunch in this world. But from the corner of my eye, seeing luxury goods placed everywhere in his car, and dollar bills thrown all over the back seat. I wavered. I needed this money, needed to get rid of the immediate predicament, needed… to seize this sudden possibility. Car stopped at the tree-lined avenue outside the dorm area. Rain had lessened. He didn’t rush me to get off, just waited quietly. “Why?” I heard myself ask. He turned to look at me, no warmth in his eyes: “You look quite obedient.” Paused, he added: “Besides, this little money means nothing to me.” Yes, indeed means nothing. My embarrassment, my struggle, in his world, small enough not to mention. I lowered my eyes, gripping the wet books in my arms. “…Thank you. I will consider it carefully.” At that time, I didn’t understand why he did this. But later hearing his roar on the phone, I understood everything. To him, I was just a whim, just to prove to Madison who left him that he had moved on, just a… tool to provoke old love. But perhaps it was the desire for money, or a trace of inexplicable heartbeat, that made me choose silence at that moment. I knew what I was doing, and knew what I wanted. Anything but love. … Maybe because my attitude towards Julian’s absence was too calm, his friends were uncertain, secretly calling him. “Julian! Scarlett seems to be going home to pack, looks like she’s leaving New York!” Girl’s joyful laughter came from the phone. Julian’s voice carried a faint impatience of being disturbed. “Leaving? What is she making a fuss about now.” “Today is your wedding… guests are all here.” “So what?” Julian chuckled lightly. “Tell her, don’t be willful, I’ll go over when I’m done.” “Julian, this time seems not willful, she…” Julian interrupted, tone casual: “Those pearl earrings I gave her last month, suitable for today, let her wear them.” Silence on the other end for a moment. “…Mentioning this now is probably inappropriate. Scarlett looks serious.” “What’s inappropriate?” Julian’s voice was careless. “She stays with me for money, right? Real estate, shares, jewelry, what have I given less? Putting on this attitude now… taking herself too seriously.” He paused, seeming to sip wine. “Tell her, I’ll transfer another million to her account, make her behave. If not, I’ll say some nice words when I get back. Women, just coax them.” Phone hung up. Whispering outside the door stopped abruptly. Those friends who tried to smooth things over for him now looked complex. “Just for money?” “Just coax her.” I hooked the corner of my mouth extremely sarcastically at the lonely wedding ring on the vanity table. Then opened the door, walked out calmly under everyone’s varying gazes. Let him leave his money and love to Madison.

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“Alice, the company has decided to terminate your employment.” HR director Janet’s voice was flat. I glanced at my phone—the photo of the positive pregnancy test still lit the screen. I’d just found out yesterday. Today, I was being let go. “On what grounds?” “Restructuring.” I almost laughed. Three months ago, my colleague Jessica got pregnant. Our boss even gave her a bonus and three months of paid leave. The day after I find out, I’m suddenly “restructured.” “And the severance?” “Two months’ salary.” After six years, standard compensation should be around $120,000. She was offering twenty. “Fine,” I stood up. “But a reminder—the Astra Group contract renews next week. I haven’t handed over the files yet.” Janet paled. I walked out. An $18 million account. Good luck landing that without me. 1 The conference room door clicked shut behind me. I leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath. My palms were slick with sweat. Down the hall, my boss, Bonnie, was standing by the door to the breakroom. When she saw me, she picked up her mug and strolled over, her pace infuriatingly casual. “Alice. All done in there?” she asked, as if she were asking what I wanted for lunch. “Bonnie,” I said, looking her straight in the eye. “I want to know why.” “Why what?” “Three months ago, Jessica announced her pregnancy, and you gave her paid leave.” I held her gaze. “The day after I find out I’m pregnant, I’m being pushed out.” Bonnie smiled. “Alice, you make it sound like the company is targeting you.” She took a sip of her coffee. “Jessica’s situation is different from yours.” “How is it different?” “She has a high-risk pregnancy. She needs to rest. You don’t.” “That doesn’t mean you can fire me the very next day,” I said, my voice tight with anger. “I’ve worked here for six years. I’ve handled the Astra Group account by myself from the very beginning.” A flicker of something—annoyance? unease?—passed through Bonnie’s eyes. “And?” She set her mug down and leaned in closer. “Alice, let me be honest with you. This company doesn’t pay people to sit around.” “You’re pregnant. You’ll be on leave for at least half a year, right? Who’s going to manage the account then?” “I can work remotely while I’m on leave, I can—” “And you think the client will be okay with that?” she cut me off. “Look, don’t get emotional. This was a company decision, not something I could control.” I clenched my fists. “Then what about Jessica? She’s taking leave, too. Why does she get to stay?” Bonnie’s expression shifted. A subtle, unnatural stiffness, the look of someone caught off guard. “Her situation…” “How is her situation any different?” I pressed. “She’s only been here a year, she’s never managed a major account. Why does her pregnancy get her a vacation, while mine gets me fired?” Bonnie was silent for a few seconds. Then she laughed. “Alice, you’re a capable employee, no doubt.” “But you think you’re more important than you are.” She turned and walked away, leaving me with one final, cutting remark. “This company will do just fine without you.” I stood frozen in the hallway, watching her go. My phone vibrated. A message from my husband: How did it go? I didn’t reply. Because I saw someone else. Jessica was coming out of Bonnie’s office, holding a folder. She saw me and stopped for a second, then walked over with a smile. “Alice, I heard you weren’t feeling well. Are you taking some time off?” Her baby bump was just starting to show. And the file in her hand… I saw the title. Astra Group 2024 Partnership Renewal Proposal. It was the proposal I wrote. My name had been crossed out. Hers was written in its place. 2 I didn’t say a word. Noticing my stare, Jessica instinctively hid the folder behind her back. “Alice? Is everything okay?” “That’s my proposal,” I said, pointing behind her. “I worked on it for three months. I just finalized it last week.” She blinked. “Oh, this?” “Bonnie said you were leaving, so she asked me to start getting familiar with the account.” “When did I say I was leaving?” Jessica’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second. Then it was back. “Alice, you’ll have to ask Bonnie about that. I’m just doing what my manager told me to do.” She tried to step around me, but I blocked her path. “Jessica, be straight with me,” I said. “What do you know about this?” She looked up at me, her eyes darting away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Alice. I’m just taking over a work assignment.” She sidestepped me and hurried away. I stood there, pieces clicking together in my head. Jessica had joined the company three months ago. Bonnie had introduced her as a distant cousin and asked me to “show her the ropes.” And I did. Client files, communication protocols, email chains—I taught her everything, step by step. I thought I was training my successor. Turns out, I was training my replacement. My phone vibrated again. Three frantic messages from my husband. How’s the baby? What did the company say? Don’t panic. Whatever it is, we can talk about it when you get home. I shoved my phone in my pocket and walked toward my desk. As I pushed open the glass door to our department, two dozen pairs of eyes snapped toward me, then quickly looked away. The office was eerily silent. Liz, the office gossip, was staring intently at her screen, motionless. The intern, a young man named Jake, opened his mouth as if to speak, then shut it. I walked to my desk. A cardboard box was sitting on my chair. Next to it was a document. Employee Offboarding Checklist. They’d even packed for me. I picked up the list. First item: Astra Group project files and client contact information. Second item: Shared departmental drive administrative access. Third item: Company-issued laptop and access card. At the bottom, a line was reserved for my signature. The date was today. I put the list down and opened my laptop. Before I could even type my password, a message popped up on the screen: Your account has been disabled. Please contact the IT department with any questions. The account was locked. They weren’t even giving me time to process it. “Alice.” A quiet voice came from behind me. I turned. It was Jake, the intern. “What is it?” He bit his lip, his eyes flicking toward Bonnie’s office. “During the morning meeting…” “What meeting?” “The daily huddle. Before you went into the conference room, Bonnie already told us.” His voice got quieter. “Told you what?” “That you had resigned for… for personal family reasons.” “She also told us to be understanding and not to pressure you.” I stared at him, stunned. “I resigned?” Jake nodded. “She also said Jessica would be temporarily taking over the Astra account. Her exact words were… ‘at Alice’s recommendation.’” He looked at me, his expression troubled. “I just thought… I just thought it was strange. You work so hard. Why would you suddenly quit?” I didn’t answer. Bonnie’s office door opened. She stood in the doorway and beckoned to me. “Alice, come in for a second.” 3 I walked in. Bonnie was sitting behind her desk. She gestured for me to close the door. “Have a seat.” I remained standing. “Bonnie, I have a few questions.” “Go ahead.” “First, on what legal grounds am I being terminated?” “Departmental restructuring. Didn’t Janet tell you?” she said, flipping through a file without looking up. “Second, why did you tell my colleagues that I resigned?” Bonnie’s hand paused. “Alice, you’re a veteran employee. Isn’t it better to part ways gracefully?” “I don’t need grace,” I said, my eyes fixed on her. “I need a reasonable explanation.” She finally looked up. “What explanation do you want?” “Is there a problem with my performance?” “No.” “Have I ever caused the company any losses?” “No.” “Then why are you forcing me out?” Bonnie sighed. “Alice, you’re a smart woman. There are some things I’d rather not say so bluntly.” “I’m not afraid of blunt.” She looked at me, a complex expression on her face. “Fine. I’ll be direct.” “You’re pregnant, aren’t you?” “Yes.” “Your pregnancy, maternity leave, and nursing leave will add up to at least a year. Can you work normally during that time?” “I can—” “You can what? Work remotely? Part-time?” She gave a small, humorless smile. “Alice, our clients aren’t idiots. Astra Group pays us eighteen million dollars a year. Why should they wait for you to have a baby before they talk business?” “Then you could have at least let me complete the handover—” “There’s no time,” she cut me off. “The renewal window is next week.” “And besides…” She paused. “Besides what?” “Besides, Mr. Vance at Astra already knows you’re leaving.” I froze. “What?” “I spoke with him this morning,” Bonnie said, her expression perfectly calm. “I told him you were resigning for family reasons and that Jessica would be taking over. He said that was fine.” My head was spinning. She had notified the client before I was even called into the meeting. This wasn’t a negotiation. It was a dismissal. “So,” Bonnie said, standing and walking around her desk to face me, “you sign the papers, and we can all move on amicably.” “If you don’t sign…” Her voice dropped. “Alice, it’s been six years. You know how I operate. I have a hundred ways to make you sign.” She patted my shoulder. “Don’t burn your bridges.” I stood there, motionless. She walked past me and opened the door. “Oh, one more thing.” She glanced back. “Finish the handover by the end of the day. You don’t need to come in tomorrow. I’ll have the front desk mail your things to you.” The door closed. I was alone in her office. Outside the window was the city’s central business district, a forest of skyscrapers and a river of traffic. I had worked here for six years. I had started as a junior assistant and worked my way up to marketing manager. I had landed the Astra Group account all by myself. And now, they were kicking me out. Without even giving me twenty-four hours. My phone rang. I pulled it out. The caller ID read: Dominic Vance. Marketing Director at Astra Group. My college classmate. He had been the one to bring me this project. Because he was my guy. I answered. “Alice, what’s going on?” Dominic’s voice was urgent. “Your boss Bonnie just called me, said you’re resigning?” “I didn’t agree to it,” I said. “What do you mean you didn’t agree?” “Dominic, I’ll explain everything later,” I said, taking a deep breath. “Right now, I just need to ask you one thing.” “Shoot.” “Next week’s renewal. Can you hold off on it for a bit?” There was a two-second pause on the other end. “Alice, what are you planning?” “What am I planning?” I looked at the file on Bonnie’s desk. The Astra Group Renewal Proposal. My blood, sweat, and tears for the last three months. The cover page now bore Jessica’s name. “Dominic,” I said, my voice steady. “I’m planning on showing some people that they can’t just take this eighteen million dollars.” 4 At three o’clock, I ran into Jessica in the breakroom. She was making coffee and her hand jolted when she saw me. “Alice.” “Hey.” I went to the water cooler and filled a cup. She stood there awkwardly. “Alice, Bonnie asked me to go over the Astra files with you this afternoon. Is now a good time?” “It’s fine.” I turned to face her. “Jessica, can I ask you something?” “When you found out you were pregnant, what did Bonnie say to you?” She froze. “What do you mean?” “I mean… how did she arrange your maternity leave?” Jessica looked down, stirring her coffee. “Bonnie told me to focus on my health and not to worry about work. She also said she’d give me a raise when I came back.” “How much of a raise?” “Twenty percent.” I laughed. I had been there six years and only got a five percent raise last year. She’d been there one year, and was getting a twenty percent raise for getting pregnant. “What’s so funny, Alice?” “Nothing.” I put my cup down. “Come on, let’s go to my desk. I’ll give you the files.” She followed me, her steps small and hesitant. At my desk, I took a flash drive out of my drawer. “Everything for the Astra account is on here. Client contacts, email history, price quotes, draft contracts—it’s all there.” She took it, surprised. “So fast?” “I always keep backups.” I looked at her. “There are a few other things I should tell you.” “Okay.” She opened the notes app on her phone, ready to type. “Dominic Vance is the main point of contact. He’s a pretty laid-back guy, prefers to talk business in informal settings. We closed the last deal over drinks.” Jessica nodded seriously. “Also, he doesn’t like corporate jargon. The more direct, the better.” “Got it.” “And one last thing.” I paused. “Dominic is a very loyal person. He’s worked with me for three years because we’ve known each other since college.” Jessica’s fingers stopped typing. She looked up. “You and Mr. Vance were classmates?” “We were.” I looked her straight in the eye. “He’s the one who brought this account to me.” The breakroom was suddenly very quiet. I could see it in her eyes—panic, calculation, and a faint, tell-tale flicker of guilt. “Alice…” “I’m not trying to cause trouble,” I said with a small smile. “I’m just reminding you that some things can’t be solved just by swapping out a person.” I picked up my bag. “The files are all yours. I’m leaving now.” “Alice!” she called out after me. “What?” “Are you… are you really resigning?” I didn’t answer. I just walked away. As I reached the elevator bank, I heard hurried footsteps behind me. It was Bonnie’s voice. “Jessica, how did it go? Did she hand everything over?” “She did.” “Are the files complete?” “They are, but…” “But what?” “Bonnie, Alice and Mr. Vance were college classmates.” A few seconds of silence. “I know.” “So…” “It’s fine,” Bonnie said, her voice as composed as ever. “Dominic Vance is a businessman. He cares about the bottom line, not old friendships. As long as the terms of the contract are good, it doesn’t matter who the contact person is.” The elevator arrived. I stepped inside and pressed the button for the ground floor. Bonnie was right. Dominic was a businessman. But she had overlooked one crucial thing. The most important thing to a businessman isn’t the terms of the contract. It’s trust. 5 It was almost seven when I got home. My husband was waiting at the door with a glass of warm milk. “What took you so long?” “Handing things over.” I slipped off my shoes and dropped my bag on the couch. He followed me and pressed the glass into my hand. “What did the company say?” “They told me to finish the handover today and not to come in tomorrow.” “What about the severance?” “Two months’ salary.” He stared at me. “You’ve been there six years. The law says you’re entitled to N+1.” “It should be about $120,000,” I said, sinking onto the couch and taking a sip of milk. “They’re only offering twenty grand.” My husband sat down next to me, silent for a moment. “What are you going to do?” “What do you think?” He looked at me. “I think you’re not the type to take this lying down.” I smiled. “You know me so well.” “Of course I do.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “So, tell me. How are you going to make them pay?” I leaned against him, staring at the ceiling. “I brought in the Astra Group account myself. Bonnie knows that Dominic and I were classmates. What she doesn’t know is that Dominic was the one who approached me three years ago. He had just been promoted to marketing director and needed a reliable agency. He chose me, not the company.” My husband understood. “So, if you leave, he leaves with you?” “Not necessarily,” I said, shaking my head. “Dominic’s a smart guy. He’s not going to sacrifice business for a personal relationship.” “Then what’s your leverage?” I picked up my phone and pulled up an email. “This is Astra Group’s internal procurement process. Every partnership has to go through three levels of approval: the marketing director, the procurement department, and the VP of Finance. Dominic is just the first gatekeeper.” My husband glanced at it. “And you can get past the other two?” “The head of procurement is a woman named Heather,” I said. “Last year, her son was applying to a private international school. The consultant quoted her $18,000. I called in a favor and got it done for five. She told me she owed me one.” My husband raised his eyebrows. “And the VP of Finance?” “The VP of Finance is a guy named Michael. I don’t know him. But,” I said, swiping to another email, “he just submitted his resignation last month. Next week is his last week. The new VP is an external hire and hasn’t started yet. Which means the renewal approval this week is basically just a formality on the finance end. As long as Dominic and Heather sign off, the contract will go through.” My husband was silent for a few seconds. “You had this all planned out?” “No,” I said, putting my phone down. “I honestly thought I would work at that company until I retired. I thought they saw my contributions. I thought Bonnie was my boss, not my enemy.” I closed my eyes. “They’re the ones who broke the rules first.” My husband didn’t speak, just tightened his arm around me. After a long moment, he said, “So, when are you going to make your move?” I opened my eyes. “Next Wednesday. The last day of the renewal window.” “That’s the day Bonnie is taking Jessica to Astra Group to sign the contract. She thinks she has it all figured out. She thinks Dominic will play along. She thinks the client won’t care who their contact person is.” I smiled. “I’m going to show her that that eighteen million dollars was never hers to begin with.”

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My wife’s sponsored student used my credit card to buy luxury cars as gifts and even tried to outbid me for the model I wanted, mocking me publicly. I froze his card and had him thrown out. Victoria wasn’t angry—that night, she was more affectionate than ever. As a holiday gift, she surprised me with a limited-edition Lamborghini. Overjoyed, I spun her around, but her nail accidentally scratched the car’s paint. She brushed it off, then hurried to the restroom, handing me her card to pay. At the counter, the manager looked apologetic. “I’m sorry, Mr. Pierce, but this card has been declined.” 1 “That’s impossible,” I said, my brow furrowing. “I just used it yesterday. Are you sure your machine is working?” The manager, trying to be helpful, swiped it again. And again. Each time, the result was the same. “You see, Mr. Pierce?” he said, his patience thinning. “It’s definitely an issue with the card.” He leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Now, do you have another way to pay? I should mention, a globally limited-edition model, especially one that’s been… damaged… is non-refundable.” My hand tightened around the useless piece of plastic, the heat of embarrassment crawling up my neck. I could feel the smug, mocking stares of the men at a nearby table. “Hah, look at this guy. Talk about all show and no go,” one of them snickered. “Acts like he can buy a limited-edition Lambo on a whim. Turns out he’s just here to make a fool of himself.” “Yeah, let him posture,” another added. “Let’s see how he gets out of this one.” I looked up at the manager, forcing a calm I didn’t feel. “It’s alright. My wife will be right out to pay. She’s just in the restroom.” We waited. An hour crawled by. The dealership was getting ready to close, but there was still no sign of Victoria. The manager’s attitude had soured, his initial warmth curdling into impatience, then into cold contempt. The way he looked at me now was laced with pure disdain. A knot of dread tightened in my stomach. I hurried to the back of the showroom. “Victoria?” I called out, pushing open the women’s restroom door without thinking. It was empty. She was gone. I walked back into the main hall like a man in a trance. My eyes fell on the deep scratch marring the Lamborghini’s perfect finish, a scar left by her fingernail. A terrible premonition began to form in my mind. I tried calling her, over and over, but every call went straight to voicemail. Slowly, I lowered my phone. I remembered her words this morning, insisting I not use my own cards. My darling husband should only ever use his wife’s money, she’d cooed. I’d believed her. I’d walked out of the house without a single card of my own, and now, I was trapped. Just as I was about to call a friend for help, my phone died. The manager was a seasoned vulture. He could smell desperation a mile away. Sensing I was broke, he subtly signaled a security guard to position himself by the main entrance, watching me like a hawk. “Mr. Pierce,” he said, his voice dripping with false politeness. “Do you have any other means of payment?” He paused, letting the silence hang in the air. “If not, then we have a problem.” He leaned closer, a cruel smirk playing on his lips. “You remember last week, don’t you? That young man who tried to buy this very car? Scratched it just like you did, then his card was declined. You were the one who had him thrown in a holding cell to ‘learn a lesson’.” His eyes glinted. “If you can’t pay for this car tonight, it’ll be your turn to be locked up.” Of course, I remembered. It was Cody, the scholarship kid Victoria sponsored. He’d come in here with my card, acting like a king, calling me a worthless freeloader who’d married into the Quinn family fortune. And then it hit me, a thought so cold and sharp it stole my breath. Was this all a setup? Did Victoria orchestrate this entire charade, a mirror image of last week’s events, just to get revenge for her little pet? “Heh. That look on your face,” a voice purred from behind me. “I think you’ve figured it out. This is for Cody. How does it feel?” 2 I whipped my head around. Victoria stood there, transformed. She’d changed into a tight, black dress that clung to her curves. Her neck, once flawless, was now a canvas of fresh, angry-purple hickeys. They looked like they’d been made just moments ago. My fists clenched, the plastic of the credit card groaning under the pressure. Standing beside her, his arm wrapped possessively around her waist, was Cody. He stared at me with an expression of pure, unadulterated hatred. The showroom, which had quieted down, erupted in whispers. “Whoa, is this for real? Is she cheating on him right in front of his face?” “I don’t get it. I thought the great Victoria Quinn adored her husband. What the hell is going on?” “Dude, have you never heard about the scandals of the super-rich? Nothing is sacred.” “So-called love has an expiration date, you know? And let’s be real, even a handsome guy gets old. Rich women always want the young, hot model on their arm.” “Serves him right, though. A good-for-nothing freeloader who married up. Relying on your looks to get into a rich family is a dead end.” The whispers were like knives, each one a fresh stab of humiliation. My gaze lifted, and I locked eyes with Victoria, my glare burning with rage. The only reason I’d agreed to marry into the Quinn family wasn’t for their damned money. It was because I loved her. And the power of my own family, a secret I’d kept from everyone, was more than enough to silence anyone who dared call me a freeloader. But Victoria didn’t know that. None of them did. She smiled, a slow, cruel curve of her lips, and sauntered toward me, leaning on Cody’s arm. The crowd parted for them like she was royalty. “Don’t worry, Cody,” she said, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “However Alan Pierce shamed you that day, you and your friends can do the same to him tonight.” Cody’s face lit up with malicious glee. Ignoring the gasps from the onlookers, and my own thunderous expression, he dipped his head and captured Victoria’s lips in a long, passionate kiss. “Really, Victoria?” he breathed, pulling back slightly. “But… I’m worried you’ll be angry with me afterward.” “Never,” she purred. “As long as you keep me happy in bed, anything is possible.” “Thank you, my queen.” After another lingering kiss, Cody signaled his friends. They surged forward, grabbing my arms and holding me fast. Then, he stepped up and slammed a fist into my face. The onlookers gasped again. “Damn, that’s bold. Making out with another man’s wife in front of him, and then hitting him? This kid has no shame.” The mockery was just another layer of pain on my already bruised ego. “Hahaha! What’s the matter, Alan?” Cody taunted, his face inches from mine. “You’re so high and mighty, aren’t you? Thought you were better than me?” He spat on the floor near my feet. “You’re nothing but a kept man, a piece of trash. What right did you have to cancel my card? I’m younger, better-looking, and Victoria loves me more. If I want, every car in this place is mine!” To prove his point, he pulled out a pocketknife and dragged its blade across the hood of another expensive car nearby. “Manager!” he barked. “Get over here and put this on my tab!” The manager, now completely subservient, scurried over with a bow. “Yes, sir. Right away, sir.” Victoria lit a slender cigarette, her eyes glinting in the showroom lights. “Alan,” she said, exhaling a plume of smoke. “The dealership closes in thirty minutes. Have you figured out how you’re going to pay for that Lamborghini yet?” I didn’t answer, just stared at her with murder in my eyes. “Oh, don’t look at me like that,” she chided, a playful smirk on her face. “You started this. Are we not allowed to finish it? That limited-edition Lamborghini is scratched. Whether you can afford it or not, you’re buying it tonight.” As soon as she finished speaking, the room erupted in laughter. “Hahaha! Like that freeloader has any money to buy it!” “He probably can’t even afford to fix the scratch, let alone pay for the whole car!” “His whole life has been about leeching off others. All his wealth, all his status, it all came from Ms. Quinn.” “And now that she’s kicked him to the curb, he’s less than nothing.” 3 I opened my mouth to speak, but Victoria cut me off, exhaling another cloud of smoke. Her voice, cold and commanding, swept across the room. “Let me make one thing clear to everyone here,” she announced. “Nobody is to help Alan Pierce. If you lend him a single dollar, you make an enemy of me. And you all know what happens to my enemies. Their endings are never pleasant.” Everyone in Crestview knew the power of the Quinn family. They were at the top of the food chain. No one in their right mind would dare cross them. Across the room, I saw a few business partners I’d worked with on past projects. They had started to move toward me, ready to help, but froze in place at Victoria’s threat. They exchanged nervous glances and melted back into the crowd. “Did you hear that? She’s dead serious about punishing him.” “Looks like Alan Pierce’s luck has run out. She’s clearly infatuated with that new boy toy of hers.” “We’d better just focus on sucking up to the new favorite.” “Man, it’s crazy. They were the golden couple just a few years ago. Their wedding was the event of the century. Three years, and it’s all turned to dust.” With Victoria’s decree, any glimmer of hope I had for assistance vanished. Everyone actively avoided my gaze. A surge of pure fury coursed through me. I broke free from my captors and lunged forward, grabbing Victoria by the arm and pulling her from her chair. “Victoria, tell me,” I snarled, my voice raw with pain. “Did you sleep with him? Are you really doing all of this, humiliating me like this, for him?” Victoria just laughed, a cold, sharp sound. She ripped her arm from my grasp and slapped me hard across the face. An assistant immediately rushed forward with a bottle of water, pouring it over her hand to wash away the spot where I had touched her. “Yes, I slept with him,” she said, her voice dripping with venom. “In the hour I was gone from this showroom.” I stared at her, my heart shattering. I couldn’t believe this was the same woman I knew. When I first arrived in Crestview, I didn’t know a soul. It was Victoria who took me under her wing, who showed me the city, who defended me from local thugs and even took a knife for me. At our wedding, she had sworn an oath, promising to be faithful forever, or else she would fall from grace into ruin. “Hahahaha!” A laugh, empty and broken, escaped my lips. Three short years. That was all it took for her to trample on everything we had. But what she, and everyone else in this room, didn’t know was that I wasn’t some freeloader living off her charity. I was Alessandro Wright, the sole mixed-heritage heir to the powerful Moretti family from Italy, one of the wealthiest dynasties in the world. Victoria settled back into her chair, a smirk playing on her lips. “Instead of wasting your breath yelling at me, Alan, you should be figuring out how to pay your bill.” Her eyes darkened with a cruel glint. “Because if you can’t, it’s going to be a long night for you. I’ll let Cody tear the clothes right off your back, and then we’ll auction you off to the highest bidder among these old crows. You can be their new, spineless boy toy.” The room buzzed with a sick, excited energy. A group of wealthy older women stared at me with predatory hunger in their eyes. “You heard her, girls! Ms. Quinn said it herself!” “Let’s just hope she doesn’t get sentimental and change her mind!” “What’s so great about that young kid anyway? Look at Alan. That face, that aristocratic air… and that body… I bet he’s incredible.” “Hahaha, the man slept with the queen of Crestview herself! I have to have him. I’ll pay anything!” A murderous rage, cold and absolute, washed over me. I had never been so humiliated in my entire life. “Every single one of you,” I said, my voice low and dangerous, “who laughed at me tonight, who dared to shame me… your end will be a painful one.”

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My daughter was born with a severe allergy to seawater. When I received the doctor’s call, my daughter’s heart had already stopped beating. I emotionally collapsed and called my husband ten times in a row, all hung up. Until the eleventh time, he answered impatiently: “Why did you pick up the child without telling me? Coming out once, dare not play this dare not play that, is this how you usually educate her? Today the Company Retreat really made me lose all face?” “Wait until I go back, I will listen to your explanation!” Before I could speak, the phone was hung up and blocked by him. Just then, Giselle updated a TikTok: Romantic seaside, two people holding hands happily dancing a suggestive dance. Matching sunglasses looked particularly dazzling. I silently shed tears, sent a message. “Roll back to divorce.” … Chapter 1 When I rushed to the hospital, my daughter’s heart had already stopped beating. “Knowing the child is allergic to seawater, still let her go surfing?” “For your own happiness, don’t want daughter’s life anymore? Never seen such a mother.” Out of professional ethics they didn’t scold me too hard, but I could still feel the contempt from doctors and nurses. Just I seemed to hear nothing. In my eyes, only that small body on the morgue bed. Daughter’s face pale blue, lips dark purple. Hair wetly pasted on forehead, body still carried the salty wet coldness of seawater. On her small face, expression painful and twisted, full of fear and struggle before death. My heart felt like fiercely grabbed by a big hand, painful to unable to breathe. Julian Vance said today was daughter’s birthday, wanted to take her to Company Retreat, experience the adult world in advance. I didn’t think too much, ordered her favorite strawberry cake at home, prepared a table of dishes, waiting for them to come back. Result I waited was the news that daughter would never come back. A whole day, I alone, ran front ran back, handling daughter’s funeral affairs. Julian didn’t have a single phone call, a single message! As if he also died at the seaside. I thought, this marriage should end here. Wait I and lawyer drafted the divorce agreement, he then returned home. First sentence was questioning me: “You picked up the child early, didn’t even tell me. Giselle waited for the child to send coconut until sunburned. You are really too selfish, agreed today child I take for a day, you are not willing to give me even a day’s time?” I sneered: “Still send coconut?! Julian are you crazy, your daughter is only six years old. You let the coach press her on the surfboard, said not allowed to come down without three hours, you let her use what to send, use her life to send?” Julian’s face instantly gloomy, smashed computer bag directly on me. “What are you shouting for, just three hours, other kids can, why just she can’t?” “She caused Giselle to be sunburned and still in hospital now, she still has face to complain first? I see she is spoiled by you, now let her roll out, immediately follow me to hospital apologize.” “Since you this mother can’t teach, then I this father want to good teach her the principle of being a person!” I endured anger, threw the divorce agreement on his face. “Sign, my daughter how is not your turn this cheating scumbag to teach, what thing are you? Since you like Giselle, I fulfill you guys.” Julian saw the four words divorce agreement, instantly furious. “Just because I discipline daughter, you want divorce me?” “Serena, are you sick? What crazy fit? My biological daughter I can’t say two sentences right? Did wrong thing go apologize what’s wrong? Spoiled by you like this, I don’t manage again, this child definitely will be useless in future!” Julian’s questioning pierced me like a knife. I rose angrily, eyes seeing stars. “I spoiled her? Julian, your daughter is six years old this year, have you fulfilled a father’s responsibility? Did she do anything against heaven and reason, to be pressed on surfboard for three hours by you this biological father? You this biological father don’t know she is allergic to seawater…” I haven’t finished, interrupted by his roar: “You have no end right? Surfing just less than five meters from shore, also have coach watching aside, what can happen?” “She came back then complained to you right? Company Retreat other kids very sociable, just she diving not want go, swimming not want go, no princess ability but have a pile of princess temper.” “I tell you, later child matters I manage determined, you don’t interfere!” Looking at his hideous face, I suddenly felt, daughter’s death no need to tell him. Such father better not have. Julian casually threw down a packaging box. Like giving me a sky big grace. I casually looked, is a free gift from two people’s matching sunglasses, a cleaner. “Last time you said glasses can’t wash clean, I always remembered, yesterday just passed by bought it.” Julian always like this, finished sending gift to Giselle, then throw free gift to me. Before I knew truth, but to give daughter a complete home. I endured. Even for maintaining this pathetic marriage, still have to pretend surprised ecstatic. But my concession didn’t preserve this home well. Instead let daughter lose life. Now daughter gone, this ridiculous marriage, I also don’t want. “No need, give your secretary.” “You sign now, later daughter also won’t come noisy you.” “Daughter did nothing wrong, only wrong, is having a dad like you.” See me so not know good bad, Julian cold to extreme “You have no end right, gift I also gave, still want how? Daughter now so big, you want divorce me? Dream!” “Daughter’s custody you don’t even think, my Vance family child can only my Vance family raise. If you can’t manage, I have plenty ways manage her.” Roared at me finish, Julian directly went back room. Ten years, this is our first cold war. He probably still thought, I same as before, just jealous, throwing temper. He waited for me next morning, like usual, put breakfast on table, give him a step down. But he thought wrong. This time, I really can’t hold, too tired. Key, and signed divorce agreement, I all left in that cold home. I left, left this place trapped me ten years. Outside car window neon flashing, past days like movie passing in brain. Just met Julian time, he embarrassed unbearable, business failed, collapsed. Giselle, his childhood sweetheart, disliked him no future, turned head went abroad. Was me, accompany him, bit by bit climbed out from mud. Passionate love that while, he said I was his light, his salvation. I foolishly thought, I this late comer catch up, won against that childhood sweetheart. Laughable, in the end, still people childhood sweetheart love stronger than gold. Day Giselle returned country, was our wedding day. Julian, threw me alone at wedding scene, butt bump ran to give her welcome. To show off how successful he is in front of her, offered twenty times salary hire her as “Private Secretary”. Really a big slap on my face. For daughter, I endured so many years, grievance all swallow into stomach. I thought child can tie this home, result? Trapped only myself. I held daughter’s urn back to pre-marriage home, that small nest only me one person. Cemetery said burial need queue wait three days, just enough for me clean up daughter’s little dresses, little hair clips, and those papers drawn with crooked little people. Third day, I holding urn just opened door, head on bumped into Julian and Giselle. Behind them stood a row of black suit bodyguards, like a wall squeezed into my home door. “Where is the child?” Julian’s voice cold. I was bumped a stumble fell on ground, hands dead protect urn in arms, inside that is my daughter’s last trace. Julian grabbed my collar, angrily said: “Serena, you really capable ah, now dare cold war with me three days? Think like this I will soft heart? Go dream your spring autumn dream!” “You indulge daughter do this kind of thing, even you guys run to sky end sea corner, I will also catch people back!” I looked up, word by word pop out: “My daughter now has no half dime relation with you, take your lover, roll out of my house, otherwise I call police.” His slap directly flung on my face, burning pain made my eyes black. “I said how daughter became so vicious, turns out upper beam not straight lower beam crooked ah!” “You usually talk like this in front of child? No wonder she can grow into this virtue today, since you can’t teach, later child matters you also don’t think interfere!” “Last time matter Giselle already generous not pursue, she actually dare intensify, looks like I also no need save face for you!” He turned to bodyguard roared, “Find for me!” Ten odd men in black rushed into my room, started searching for daughter. My heart sank to bottom at once, fingers unconsciously dug tight urn edge. “What do you mean? My daughter exactly did what? With me here, you don’t think let my daughter carry black pot!” Eye see my emotion about to explode, Giselle grievance walked forward. “Julian, forget it… child only six years old, she definitely not intentional. Maybe just have some misunderstanding to me, later I slowly communicate with her fine, little kid…” More she act good person like this, anger in my heart burn more prosperous. Surface pleading for daughter, actually every word pouring dirty water on my daughter. Julian’s face instantly gloomy down. “You now actually still want speak for that little rabbit bastard? Today dare destroy your work, tomorrow don’t know will do what thing! You indulging her like this, is harming her!” “Have Serena this kind of mom, this child not good discipline, sooner or later will cause big trouble!” He gritted teeth said. I fierce look up hiss roar: “Julian! That is your biological daughter ah! You rather believe this bitch words also not believe own flesh blood?” Daughter all cremated, this woman still not willing let go her. “Slap!” Julian’s slap again heavy fan on my face. “Shut up!” He roared. “You instigate child break into Giselle home, burned her work, do you know this is company’s most important project this year?!” “You usually jealous I just endured, now actually do this kind of thing, you f*cking became what look? That is whole company one year blood sweat!” “Child only six years old, you let her be your accomplice, you this kind person not worthy be mother! I really blind eyes then fancy you!” My head buzzing, but brain still can turn. High-end community Giselle lives, enter out need face recognition, my six years old daughter how possible enter? “Daughter only six years old! How can she alone find that place?” I roared back at him, “You go crazy also move brain ah! Giselle self didn’t put work well, based on what blame my daughter?” I voice hoarse strength exhaust, ten years grievance like flood explode. Julian’s eyes almost spit fire, more furious than me. “Giselle room only she entered, home no others, not her who is?” “Have you this good mom, places she can go many! House Giselle live just under my name, record a face not very easy? You everyday behind back check me, how possible not know address?” “Don’t pretend! Giselle home monitor all filmed. Where child hide? Hurry hand out!” I just about counterattack, Giselle already took out phone, click open a video. In monitor screen, a small figure wearing my daughter’s that day floral dress, steps unsteady walked into study. Small hand holding lighter, trembling lit that exquisite wedding dress work. Wedding dress twisted deformed in flame, less than two minutes turned to ashes. Giselle lowered head, force act grievance sobbing. “Sister Serena, I know you don’t like me, but I follow Julian really just for work ah! That work is company this year most important project, you… you hate me again, also shouldn’t take daughter vent destroy everyone blood sweat ba?” “Now work gone, whole project scrap, one year effort all wasted! You let me how face so many colleagues trust me?” She hand busy foot messy closed phone, movement fast like thief. But my eyes faster than her hand. Monitor time I saw clear clear. Two days ago. That time my daughter already became a box of cold ashes. I face hung tears, sneered. “Giselle, to frame me and my daughter, you really painstaking ah.” “Want be Mrs. Vance just say clearly, why act this bitter drama? Position give you, no need so vicious pour dirty water on dead person.” Julian angered by my attitude, whole face twisted into a ball. He kicked on my chest. Urn rolled out from my arms, turned few circles on floor. I like crazy pounced over, whole person lie on ground, dead protect that box containing daughter. He quick eye quick hand, grabbed my hair pull back, nails embedded into my scalp. “What hidden in this box?” I gas extreme. “With you have what relation?” Julian furious, hand strength increase, I feel whole piece scalp want be torn down by him. Warm blood flow down along hair root, sticky on neck. Bodyguard came out from bedroom, expressionless reported: “Mr. Vance, child not here.” Julian took deep breath. “Where is child? I ask you last time.” I looked up face, tears blurred vision, but couldn’t block irony on my face. “Child? You now know care child?” “In your eyes beside this bitch still have what? You still remember you have a daughter? Tell you, she died! Died! You satisfied?” Julian’s hand paused, immediately face surfaced deeper anger. “Just discipline child, need you make up this kind ghost talk?” “Serena, I thought you just won’t be wife, didn’t expect even being human so disgusting!” “Learn surfing at seaside can die people? Then national so many seasides early closed!” Giselle’s gaze fell on urn I dead hugged. “Julian, what inside that box? Sister Serena hug so tight, maybe hid work original drawing ne.” Julian immediately reach hand come snatch, I desperate protect, nails scratched blood marks on floor. “Roll away! Don’t touch my daughter!” “You all give me roll out!” Julian gave bodyguard a wink. Five six men in black swarm up, press my limbs, like subdue mad dog press me on ground. My face suffered dozen slaps, burning pain. Julian holding urn weigh in hand. “Serena, do wrong thing should be punished.” “Wait find child, you leave with nothing, custody belong me, perform good, one year let you see once.” He fierce force, urn lid flew out. Inside box only gray white ashes. “Original drawing ne?” He roared at me. I red eyes, break free bodyguard, pounce towards him. “Here no thing you want! Giselle say what you just believe what! I say daughter died why you not believe! You really sick! Return my daughter! Don’t touch her!” Just rushed out two steps, was pounced down by behind bodyguard, face heavy hit on floor. Giselle again gently said. “Under box will or not hide something? Pour out look ba.” Julian hands flip. Daughter’s ashes spilled a ground, quietly paved on floor. I hiss roaring, crying shouting. Julian can’t find wanted thing, anger burn heart, swing urn smash on my head. Warm blood flow down along forehead, vision blur. His leather shoe stepped on my hand back, bone emit break sound. “Serena, you really not see coffin not drop tear, like acting right? Good, I fulfill you.” “Daughter I definitely will find, this life you don’t think see her one face again!” Bodyguards filed out, only left me and a ground ashes. I lay on ground, like holding treasure, gather ashes bit by bit into arms. Julian hugging Giselle, sneering stepped up. “I let you pretend!” He force step, ashes fly up, like a smoke, from door crack drifted away mostly. Vision suddenly pitch black, I anytime want faint pass. Julian cold face took out phone, dialed assistant number. “Immediately find my daughter, bring person back for me! Also, re-draft a divorce agreement for me, Serena must leave with nothing, a cent don’t think take away!” Assistant on phone end silent two seconds. “Mr. Vance…” Assistant voice obviously reveal confusion, “Your daughter already passed away three days ah, this moment body should already cremated finish ba. Before we couldn’t contact you, cemetery still I helped Mrs. Vance queue…” Assistant voice more and more light. Julian froze in place at once. Giselle take advantage his lost mind moment, turn to me.

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Been with Xavier Sterling for seven years, there was always a gap of social status between us. Today, his mother came again, without extra pleasantries, directly pushed a photo in front of me. Xavier and my best friend Serena stood side by side, behaving intimately. Mother Sterling’s voice was calm and cruel, “Miss Luna, Serena is the ideal daughter-in-law in our hearts.” “Some gaps cannot be filled by feelings. Please leave my son.” Mind in a trance, I got into a car accident. Woke up again in the hospital, Serena stood by my bed, insisting I take the chance to test Xavier. “You just say you have Amnesia, see his performance.” I was also curious what exactly Serena wanted to do, so nodded and agreed. Xavier pushed open the ward door with a hurried look, I pretended not to know him. “You are?” Next second, Serena hooked his arm. “Silly, this is my boyfriend, you can’t recognize him?” Her hand was shaking slightly, eyes staring at Xavier full of expectation. Xavier stunned, then held her palm. He whispered: “Mn, I am Serena’s boyfriend.” I looked at them for a long while. Suddenly laughed out loud: “Then should I congratulate you guys?” Just after hearing this sentence, Xavier’s face instead sank. … Chapter 1 Sight fell on their intertwined arms, my mind was blank. One is my best friend for fifteen years. Knowing I was hit by a car, she ran until her high heel broke. The other, is my boyfriend of seven years, about to discuss marriage. He was on a business trip two thousand miles away, only three hours since my accident, he rushed back. Are they teaming up to prank me? But today is not April Fool’s Day. Just as this thought popped up, Serena tiptoed, dropped a light kiss on Xavier’s lip corner. “Xavier, I said Luna would bless us.” “You refused to tell her before, all your own blind worry.” She turned to look at me, eyes and brows full of smiles. “Luna, you will, right?” I seemed to be choked by an invisible hand, couldn’t speak. No camera in the corner, no one recording my clown-like dull expression. This is not a prank scene. Couldn’t help it, I looked at Xavier. He slightly turned his head, avoided my sight. Eyelashes blinked rapidly a few times, shutting the truth I wanted to know inside. Just last night, he used the same pair of eyes to gaze at me intently in the video call, as if in this world, he could only see me. “Luna, I fly back tomorrow night then take you home.” “This time no matter how my parents object, I must marry you.” He came back early. Promise seems not counting anymore. I pinched my palm, forcefully pulled out a smile. “You guys, when did you get together?” Throat dry, I whispered: “How come… how come I just didn’t know.” Serena revealed a sweet smile. She just about to speak, I softly interrupted: “Don’t let it be all you saying, I want to hear what your boyfriend says.” I stared dead at Xavier, fingernails pinching palm scratched out a blood mark. A burst of dull pain. He unconsciously pursed his lips: “Just end of last year.” Tone was the gentleness I was familiar with to the bone marrow. That hand I could recognize even with eyes closed, was holding someone else. “Met on a Blind Date, felt fate, so got together.” I stunned. Sterling family is a famous academic family, his parents are both renowned professors at Harvard. And me, father serving time in prison, mother remarried for many years. Just two months ago, Mother Sterling forced him with death, requiring him to go on blind dates. I had insomnia all night, proposed breakup. Wish him happiness. Xavier stood downstairs in freezing rain for a whole day. He hugged me into his arms, whole body trembling. “Luna, I only want you, we don’t break up, okay?” I raised hand to touch his face, couldn’t distinguish those wetness were tears or rain. Turns out, all fake? “Luna.” Serena interrupted my thoughts. “Actually me and Xavier are more compatible, aren’t we?” Yes. Serena’s parents are also university professors, matching door and household with Sterling family. She smiled. “You have amnesia forgot past things also doesn’t matter, now, it’s your turn to bless me.” Heart fierce suffocated. Remembered that summer high school ended, I excitedly ran to share news of dating Xavier with Serena. She stared big eyes, hand loose, water cup dropped. A crisp sound, glass shattered all over ground. “How could it be? Xavier didn’t even agree to Prom Queen’s confession, how could he…” I was too anxious pulling her away from those fragments that might cut her. Forgot to think deep, the complex emotion in her eyes. Time changes world changes. Me and her swapped identities. I drank a mouthful of water, swallowed the bitterness stuck in throat. As if swallowed, was that pile of sharp fragments back then. Just about to speak, doctor pushed door enter. Chapter 2 “Patient’s leg bone severely displaced, need surgery, who is the family member?” “Me.” Xavier’s subconscious word, made room atmosphere fall into stagnation. Serena bit teeth: “Xavier, did you hear wrong?” She squeezed out a smile: “Doctor is asking family, you are not.” “Need signature right? Give me.” She scanned me: “My this friend father in prison, mother long ran with someone.” “I should be the friend she knew longest, I sign.” Actually not only longest, also best. From I carrying broom drove away those punks blocking her for money start, we inseparable. Full fifteen years. We shared homework answers, cried or laughed for same movie. Also shared home password, clothes in closet and family matters I never told others. I had no defense against her. Didn’t expect today, have to share same man. I inexplicably felt funny, reached hand to doctor: “No need, I sign myself can.” Consent form slid across Serena’s palm. Her face not too good looking. “Doctor.” Xavier suddenly spoke. “Her amnesia, possible to cure?” My hand holding pen froze. “Patient has concussion…” Doctor just said a sentence. Serena a cry of pain: “Hiss——” Xavier’s attention, immediately hooked by her. “What’s wrong?” He bent down to look at Serena’s broken heel, frowned. “Rainy day road slippery, next time don’t wear high heels.” Concerned tone, so familiar. He picked up Serena, put her on the chair beside. Squatted down, he gently took off Serena’s shoe, used wet wipe bit by bit wiped clean mud spots on her foot. I scribbled signature, just leg pain severe, making people unable to ignore. Serena act spoiled shook man’s arm. “You go buy me a pair of shoes, okay?” “Mn.” Xavier stood up, lightly scanned me once, turned and left. Doctor closed door, air quiet only could hear rain sound outside window. “Luna.” Serena opened mouth, tore the last trace of peace. “Don’t blame me.” “Xavier he deserves better, I also have right to fight for what I want.” I didn’t speak, just felt rain sound too quiet. Couldn’t cover pain at wound. Serena still felt not enough, counted one by one. “Bag you wanted him buy back from Paris, not out of stock, is in my closet.” “His phone password and wallpaper made of your photo changed, not want to appear more business, but I required.” “Last month your grandma death anniversary that day, Xavier didn’t business trip, was accompanying me to concert.” “Also wedding house Sterling family looking at, not prepared for you.” Every sentence, like a nail hammered into my heart. She didn’t let me go, gently stroked belly. “I am already pregnant.” “Xavier wanted to find a good time to tell you, I feel today is quite suitable.” I was nailed in place. Just during breakup noise at end of year, I lost a child. Just because Xavier said a sentence. “Luna, now is not the time yet.” Rain sound tik-tok, my tears surging. Blurted out: “Shut up! Get out!” I raised hand, dead pressed leg part. Too painful. Chapter 3 Moment anesthesia took effect, my whole body cold. Eyes went black, I remembered day found out pregnancy. I spent 3 hours made a table of good dishes, hid pregnancy test report in gift box. Celebration cake candle flickering, Xavier however silent long time. He rubbed back of my hand, deep voice said: “Luna, I hope our child, can be born in a blessed environment.” And in my phone, still saved message Mother Sterling scolded me shameless day before. In his family’s eyes, I am a puddle of rotten mud by road. Should consciously stay far from him. Tears instantly smashed down. I tremblingly questioned: “Xavier Sterling, you confessed to me at 18, promised you would give me a very good very good home, is it not counting anymore?” He lowered head refused to look at me, only said: “Luna, I also have difficulties.” Later, I alone went on operating table. That time seemed also rainy day, I only felt whole body very heavy. Was wetness can’t disperse. Woke up, ward quiet. Took out phone reply work message, I scrolled to a Serena’s Instagram post. Small square box lying in flowers, inside placed a ring inlaid with Pigeon Blood Ruby. Was style I mentioned wanted with Xavier when young and ignorant. I liked it. Passed 5 minutes, Xavier sent new message. [Luna, did you finish surgery, what did doctor say?] [Your amnesia matter, did doctor say possible recover?] I replied: [You are Serena’s boyfriend, my matter has nothing to do with you.] Not waiting him reply, I blocked both of them. Raised by grandma me, when met them two, thought was fate couldn’t stand I pitiful, gave me gift. A big dream. Now I also should wake up. Care worker auntie asked me: “Little sister, where is your family?” “You can’t hide surgery matter from them, if you were my daughter, I knew would heart ache dead.” I smiled: “I have no family.” “Not a single one left.” I closed eyes, hid hot eye rims well. One week later, I followed doctor advice discharge. Back to that so-called “Home”, I started packing things. Just struggling stuffing clothes into suitcase, room door opened from outside. Laughter came. Is Serena and Father Sterling Mother Sterling. Once saw me, Mother Sterling raised thin long brows. “Why are you here?” “Our Xavier about to get married, how you still have face to come?” I paused. Put in past, I didn’t want Xavier sandwiched in middle uncomfortable, always endured again and again. Now, actually no need. I cooled face down: “I paid money for this house, why can’t come?” “Carefully calculate, you guys are the ones no qualification.” University last year, Xavier wanted to found his own gaming company. Father Mother Sterling didn’t agree, cut his living expense, forced him go abroad study academic path. Was me took out money earned from modeling, raising him, also raising his startup team. Even this house, also had a part money I paid. Now Xavier startup successful company about IPO, I instead became little model can’t get on table in Sterling family mouth. “Really no breeding.” Father Sterling raised hand pointing me. “How you talk to us, immediately apologize!” I just about to choke back. Corner of eye glimpsed familiar figure in elevator hall. Moment recognized who, a chill rushed up along spine bone.

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“Company policy. No spouses allowed.” The lie. The mantra. He’d been saying it for eight years. Eight years, sixteen corporate retreats, and I had been left behind every single time. Today, while sifting through a box of old photos, I stumbled upon a group picture from their company’s retreat last year. Several couples were smiling brightly in the front row. I recognized his coworker, Mark—Mark’s wife was standing right beside him. And there was Dan from Sales, with his wife, too. My husband, Trevor, was standing in the second row. Beside him, stood a woman in a white, knee-length dress. I used to own an identical dress. I’d thrown it out three years ago. 1. I stared at the photograph for a long time. White, floral print, cinched waist, falling just above the knee. I bought it at a mall boutique three years ago for $99. I only wore it once, to my mother’s birthday dinner. Then it disappeared. I asked Trevor about it. He said the cleaning service must have accidentally tossed it. I believed him. Now, that same dress was on another woman, standing right next to him. I zoomed in on the photo, desperate to see her face. The pixelation was too poor, offering only a blurred outline: long hair, slender frame, not very tall. Her hand was resting lightly on Trevor’s arm. The gesture was natural, easy—like muscle memory. I heard the sound of a key turning in the lock. The door opened. Trevor was home. “Back already?” I put my phone down, face up on the cushion. “Long day at the office?” “Mhm. Finalizing the West Coast project.” He kicked off his shoes. “Did you eat?” “I did.” I watched him walk into the bathroom to wash his hands, his movements the same as they’d been for eight years. Familiar. “The company retreat is next month,” I said. “Lake Haven Resort, right?” His movements stalled. “Oh?” “I saw it on Lisa Kwan’s post—Mark’s wife. She sounded excited.” Trevor turned off the faucet and dried his hands. “That’s the Sales Department retreat. Tech isn’t necessarily going to that one.” “But don’t Sales and Tech usually go together?” “It depends on the year.” He walked out, his expression neutral. “Management hasn’t finalized the venue yet.” I nodded, letting it drop. He went into his study, saying he needed to hop back on the computer to wrap up some emails. I sat on the sofa and pulled up the photo again. It was taken in front of a grand resort entrance, a sprawling lawn in the background. I recognized the place. Two years ago, after his retreat, I asked him where he’d been. He said it was just some dull, rustic B&B—nothing special. The photo clearly showed something far from rustic. I opened my browser and searched the place. Four stars. Dinner service runs about $150 a head. Some dull, rustic B&B. Right. My phone rang. It was my mother. “Have you eaten, Nat?” “Yes, Mom.” “Is Trevor home?” “In his study, working late.” “Tell him not to overdo it. Look after his health.” “I know.” After hanging up, I walked to the study door. It was slightly ajar. Trevor was on the phone. “…Don’t worry about next month. I’ll handle everything.” His voice was low, careful—as if he didn’t want to be overheard. “Alright. Talk soon.” He hung up. I knocked. “Come in.” I pushed the door open. “Who was that?” “A client.” His eyes remained glued to the monitor. “It’s about the project rollout.” “You’re still talking projects this late?” “Yeah, overseas client. Time difference.” I didn’t press him further. Back in the living room, I saved the retreat photo to my phone’s camera roll. Later, as we lay in bed, he automatically pulled me close, his arm draped across my waist. “Are you feeling okay lately?” he asked. “Fine.” “The retreat next month—it might be three or four days.” “Mhm.” “You’ll be okay by yourself?” “I’ll be fine.” He kissed my forehead. “Go to sleep.” I closed my eyes, listening until his breathing settled into the slow, steady rhythm of deep sleep. Eight years. Eight years, sixteen retreats. Every single time, he’d told me it was company policy: No spouses allowed. Every single time, I had believed him. But in that photograph, every other man’s wife was there. Only mine wasn’t. I opened my eyes, staring at the ceiling. His hand was still on my hip, warm and familiar. Yet suddenly, that hand felt utterly foreign. 2. The next day was Saturday. Trevor said he had to go into the office for half a day to take care of some urgent paperwork. “Will you be back for lunch?” “Should be.” I watched him leave, then I went straight to my computer. I navigated to his company’s corporate website and clicked the “Employee Events” tab. It was a gallery of photos: retreats, holiday parties, anniversary dinners. I went through them, year by year. 2016 Retreat: Miami. Trevor was in the photo. Standing beside him was a woman. Not me. 2017 Retreat: The Rockies. Trevor was there. Standing beside him was the exact same woman. Still not me. 2018 Retreat: San Diego. The same woman. 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. Every year, every single photo, she was there. She wore different outfits, changed her hairstyle, but her features were the same: a delicate, oval face, single eyelids, and a small dimple when she smiled. I didn’t know her. I had never seen her. Yet she had been standing beside my husband for eight years. My hands started to tremble. I saved every single one of those photographs. When I was done, I picked up Trevor’s phone. He never used a password. He always said, “We don’t need secrets, Nat.” I found a contact named “Veronica C.” and opened their message thread. The latest message was from 11:00 PM last night. Trevor: Did you get home okay? Veronica: I did. Thanks for today. Trevor: Get some rest. Veronica: [Kiss emoji] I scrolled up. The day before. Veronica: Did you book the hotel for the retreat next month? Trevor: Yes, The Intercontinental at Lake Haven. Veronica: The same suite as last year? Trevor: Mhm. Lake view. Veronica: *Can’t wait ~* A searing knot tightened in my stomach. I kept scrolling. One month ago. Trevor: Wear the blue dress for the client dinner. Veronica: Okay! Are you wearing a tie? Trevor: The one you gave me. Veronica: Our matching one! Make sure no one notices. Trevor: Who cares if they notice. Three months ago. Veronica: Did your wife ask where you were going again? Trevor: No. She never asks. Veronica: She’s so easy to fool. Trevor: She’s not easy to fool, she just trusts me. Veronica: Then you should be better to her. Trevor: I know. Six months ago. Veronica: What should I wear for the holiday party this year? Trevor: You look good in anything. Veronica: Your wife won’t be there, right? Trevor: No. She never is. Veronica: Perfect. I can dress up then. Trevor: Whatever you want. A year ago. Veronica: Can I post the photos from the Maldives? Trevor: Sure, just block Nat. The Maldives. A year ago. I remembered. A year ago, I was three months postpartum. That was the time he said the company retreat was mandatory and that the dates were inflexible. I was home alone with a newborn. He was in the Maldives. With her. I put the phone down, struggling to draw a full breath. The front door opened. Trevor was back. “What’s wrong?” He saw my face. “You look terrible.” I just stared at him. I had looked at this face for eight years. I woke up next to it, and I went to sleep next to it. I thought I knew everything about him. Now I realized I knew nothing at all. “Nothing,” I managed, standing up. “I’ll start on lunch.” “I’ll do it. You go rest.” He rolled up his sleeves and walked into the kitchen. I stood there, watching his back. That back was familiar, too. But what did familiarity matter? She was just as familiar with that back. Maybe more so. 3. On Monday, I took a personal day. I went to Trevor’s office building. Not to see him, but to see Lisa Kwan, who worked in HR. Lisa was my high school friend. She’d been at Trevor’s company for five years. “Well, this is a surprise,” Lisa said, genuinely shocked. “I was in the neighborhood. Wanted to grab a coffee.” We walked to a nearby cafe. “Does Trevor know you’re here?” “No. I thought I’d surprise him later.” Lisa smiled. “You two are so sweet.” I forced a smile in return. “So,” I said, trying to sound casual, “I was thinking of coming along for the next company retreat. Are spouses allowed?” Lisa paused. “Spouses? Of course they are.” “Oh. Trevor always told me company policy was strictly no family.” Lisa’s face changed. It was subtle, but I saw it. “No, that’s not right. We’ve always allowed spouses at the retreats. The company even covers half the cost.” My heart stopped for a beat. “Always?” “Since I started, yes. You didn’t know that?” “Trevor said…” I couldn’t finish the sentence. Lisa saw the look on my face. She reached across the table and took my hand. “Nat, what’s going on? Is something wrong with you and Trevor?” “No.” I shook my head. “Maybe I misunderstood.” “Don’t lie to me.” Lisa lowered her voice. “Tell me. Has Trevor been…” I looked at her, silent. She sighed. “The truth is… I’ve wanted to tell you for a while, but I didn’t want to interfere.” “Tell me what?” “Trevor brings a woman to every single event.” My hand began to tremble. “We all assumed it was you. His wife. But then one time, I saw her name tag. It said, ‘Veronica Crystal.’”

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Ethan is five years older than me, but I never call him “brother.” Watching him switch girlfriends one after another. For each one, I would obediently call her “sister-in-law.” On my twenty-second birthday, I waited all day, but Ethan didn’t come. I made a wish to never like him again. After my birthday, when I went downstairs to throw out the trash, I saw a familiar figure. It was Ethan’s best friend, Caleb. “Caleb, why are you here?” “Ethan couldn’t get away, so he asked me to bring you a gift.” “Oh, thanks. Where’s yours?” He smiled and said: “I prepared two gifts. I’ll decide which one to give you after you answer my question. “Ava, liking him is tiring, right? How about trying someone else? Be my girlfriend.” 1 I looked at Caleb in surprise. When did he find out I liked Ethan? I clearly hid it very well. I never showed a trace of jealousy in front of Ethan. “Caleb, I don’t understand what you mean.” He pressed his lips together, clearly smiling. But there seemed to be some nervousness in his eyes. “Then let me rephrase. “Ava Lin, I like you. “I want to ask you, would you give me a chance to date me?” But he is Ethan’s best friend. When I was five years old and met Ethan for the first time, Caleb was right beside him. Come to think of it, I’ve known Caleb for seventeen years too. I stared at his face and suddenly remembered the wish I made tonight. Caleb laughed out loud under my stare. “Why look at me like that? “Think I’m causing you trouble?” I shook my head. Not trouble, just a bit unexpected. Caleb is different from Ethan. Knowing him for so long, I don’t seem to have seen him date anyone. For a while, I even treated him as a love rival. While Ethan, never lacked women around him. Thinking of this, my heart felt like it was pricked by a thorn again. After a sharp pain, I looked at him and said: “I just wished to be in a relationship tonight, and you delivered yourself to my door. “Caleb, you must have been arranged by Cupid. “Then I’ll follow God’s will and date you!” Caleb was stunned, seemingly not expecting me to really agree. He looked at me for a while, then smiled. He turned around and took out a beautifully wrapped gift box from the car. Handed it to me. “This one is for my girlfriend.” 2 I opened it in front of him. It was a necklace set with small diamonds, looking very expensive. “Isn’t this too expensive?” I knew his family was rich, but usually for birthdays, his gifts were similar to Ethan’s. When it was his birthday, I would return a similar gift. Caleb walked over and rubbed the top of my head. “It’s for you, not expensive.” As soon as he got close, the faint scent of cologne on him drilled into my nose. Different from the scent on Ethan. His was colder, like bitter lemon filled with ice cubes. I quietly stepped back, creating distance. Just as I was thinking about how to return the gift, Caleb’s phone rang. “Caleb, is the gift delivered?” The night was quiet, and Ethan’s voice came through the receiver. Along with the laughter of the girl next to him, clearly audible. “Mm, delivered.” When Caleb spoke, he kept looking at me. I felt inexplicably cramped. Eyes looking elsewhere, ears still listening to the voice on the phone. “That’s good. I just called Ava and she didn’t answer, thought she was angry.” Caleb chuckled low. “No, she went downstairs to throw out the trash and didn’t bring her phone.” “Right, she has a soft temper, never gets angry with me. “Hey wait, how do you know she didn’t bring her phone? Is she next to you? Let her answer the phone.” I turned my head immediately, afraid Caleb would hand the phone over. I just agreed to be his girlfriend. Now asking me to answer Ethan’s call. It felt awkward no matter how I thought about it. Unexpectedly, Caleb turned around and lowered his voice: “It’s not convenient for her to answer. If you have anything to say, just say it, I’ll pass it on.” “Then wish her a happy birthday, and strive to get a boyfriend this year. Every time I take her out for dinner, I have to explain unnecessarily, lest people misunderstand she’s my girlfriend.” Ethan’s teasing voice lightly spoke of my embarrassment. I clenched my hands, nails digging into my palms. Caleb lowered his voice and chuckled. “Won’t happen in the future.” Ethan paused for two seconds, his voice turned cold. “What do you mean? She’s dating?” Caleb stepped forward, his free hand holding mine. I was stunned, wanted to pull my hand away, but he interlaced his fingers with mine tightly. Caleb looked down at my eyes and whispered: “Mm, she’s with me. She’s my girlfriend from now on. If you have nothing else, hang up.” 3 Hanging up the phone, Caleb didn’t let go of my hand. “Any plans for tomorrow?” I stared at the ground and whispered no. “Then I’ll pick you up tomorrow to go out and play. It’s quite cold at night, you go up first.” I nodded. Waiting for him to let go, I fled upstairs. Caleb called me from behind: “Ava, you won’t regret it, right?” I stopped but didn’t dare to look back. “No.” “That’s good. If you regret it, I’ll have to pester you relentlessly.” My face felt hot. Walked into the elevator without looking back. After returning home, sure enough, I saw missed calls from Ethan on my phone. And many messages. [Happy birthday, Ava.] [Bro is busy outside. Caleb was passing by your place on a business trip, so I asked him to bring the gift over.] [You’re with him?] [Since when?] [Why didn’t you tell me?] [Didn’t see you talking much with him usually, how come you’re dating?] [Is he pursuing you and you’re embarrassed to refuse? Don’t be afraid, bro will go talk to him for you.] I looked at the messages. Heart felt heavy. Couldn’t describe the feeling. The pleasure of revenge? Guilt towards Caleb? Or, unwillingness, grievance… After considering for a long time, I replied with a “Mm”. Ethan called via voice chat immediately. But I didn’t want to answer, clicked reject. Ethan sent another message. [Ava, have you really thought it through?] Thought it through. Don’t want to like you anymore. Ethan’s message popped up again. [Do you like him?] I don’t know. The Caleb I knew always had a faint sense of alienation at gatherings. But that superior face and cool temperament often attracted flirtations. Tonight he confessed first. Besides being surprised, I was a bit panicked. Now calming down, I also felt that agreeing to him was a bit impulsive. But Caleb might not be a bad choice. Ethan couldn’t wait for my reply and called again. I accidentally answered by mistake. “Ava, are you really with Caleb?” Ethan on the phone sounded anxious. So he can panic too? I gave a low “Mm”. Then heard him curse irritably. “Caleb forced you, right? Damn it, he knows you’re my sister, yet still made a move!” “Ava, you don’t need to be afraid of him. I’ll go talk to him—” I interrupted him, asking: “I’m not afraid of him. He said he likes me, so I agreed.” And you never said you liked me. So, why are you angry? Ethan’s anger stopped abruptly. Followed by the sound of smashing things. A woman’s frightened voice came from the side. Screaming asking him what happened. I suddenly felt that all the complex emotions just now disappeared. Ethan belongs to any woman. But impossible to belong to me. I should have seen it clearly long ago. I looked at the necklace Caleb gave me. Whispered: “Ethan, I thought you would bless me.” Before, I called him Ethan by full name. And was scolded by him for being impolite. Why call Caleb “Caleb” but not call him “Brother.” But now, I called him brother, and he’s unhappy again. Rustling sounds came from the opposite side, Ethan’s voice was tight. “Ava, wait for me, I’m going back now. We’ll talk when we meet.” The call hung up, Caleb’s message came just in time. [Ava, if Ethan comes back to find you, don’t be soft-hearted, okay?] [Give me some face, dating for a week is fine too.] I imagined what expression Caleb would have when saying this. Probably with helplessness, and faint pampering. I couldn’t help but smile. Replied “Okay” to him. 4 The next day after nine o’clock, Caleb called to ask if I was up. I hadn’t reacted yet. “Anything wrong? Caleb.” Only heard Caleb chuckle softly on the other end. “Forgot as soon as you woke up.” I immediately remembered agreeing to date him last night. Sat up abruptly. “Ah, I didn’t forget, I’m getting up now.” Caleb’s smile deepened. “It’s okay, no rush. Let me know when you’re ready.” After hanging up, my heart pounded. Covered my face in regret. Before when meeting Caleb. Ethan was always present. Oh right, speaking of Ethan. He said he was coming back to find me today. Thinking about it makes it more chaotic. Don’t know what crazy fit he’s throwing, getting so excited hearing I’m with Caleb. He doesn’t like me. Why care who I’m with? Clearly last night on the phone, I heard a woman’s voice beside him. I adjusted my mood and set Ethan’s WeChat to do not disturb. Forced myself not to think about him. Since I agreed to be with Caleb. Focus on it. When I dressed and went downstairs, I saw Caleb’s car parked downstairs. His tall figure leaned against the car door. Wearing a cashmere coat, standing posture lazy and casual. The indifferent face, upon seeing me, revealed a smile. Lifted his foot to welcome me. “Caleb, sorry, I overslept.” He gave a “Mm”. “Then how do you plan to compensate me?” I didn’t expect him to say that, stunned on the spot. “Then, I treat you to dinner?” He smiled and came to hold my hand. “Okay, but I hope you agree to another condition of mine more.” Although didn’t know what condition Caleb would raise. But being late for the first date is indeed impolite. I could only bite the bullet and agree. “Sure, say it, as long as I can do it.” “Change the way you address me, don’t call me Caleb.” (Note: In English, using first name is already intimate, so the distinction is less stark than Chinese. Assuming the request is to drop formalities or use a nickname.) “Ah? Then call you what?” “Cal.” After he finished speaking, he looked down at me. Face faintly showing expectation. “Cal” read once in heart. When about to say it out loud, it felt like burning my mouth. “C-Cal.” My voice was as small as it could be. Still heard by Caleb. The smile on his lips deepened, and he responded to me very seriously. “Mm, I’m here.” Setting aside the relationship with him. Caleb’s face, when smiling, is really lethal enough. Especially when you know, his smile is because of you. It makes one even more shy. I blushed and changed the subject. “Let’s go eat, I’m hungry.” Caleb said nothing, took my hand. He seems to like interlacing fingers very much. Last night when I agreed to date him, he held me like this too. But I’m not used to it. After eating, Caleb pulled me to see an art exhibition. “Cal, aren’t you here on a business trip? If the company is busy, we won’t go see the exhibition, you go back first.” Caleb’s family wanted him to go back to manage the company. But he said before thirty, he wanted to start his own business first. Before, every time there was a gathering, he would come sit for a while and leave. During the meal, calls and emails were endless. In my impression, he is a CEO busier than a workhorse. But today while eating, he didn’t look at his phone once. Now he wants to take me to see an art exhibition. Unexpectedly, Caleb said lightly that the company’s affairs were handled last night. Today’s time all belongs to me. I blushed, pretending to be calm. “Cal, I’m not a child, don’t need you to accompany me.” “Oh, then I am a child, I need you to accompany me.” Help, face hotter.

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When I was seven, Dad brought home a girl and told me to treat her like my own sister. Later, I found out she was the child of his late “white moonlight” (first love). After that day, Dad’s gaze never fell on me again. My “sister” was in poor health, so Dad spent most of his time at the hospital. Even when Mom passed away, he couldn’t make it back to see her one last time. He apologized to me: “If you’re angry, take it out on Dad. Don’t blame your sister, she’s not well.” In the past, I would have turned the world upside down. This time, I just looked at the father and daughter indifferently: “As long as she’s okay.” 1 Mom’s funeral ended. Dad cried until he was a tearful mess; it took several people to pull him up. Long after returning home, he was still holding a box, lost in thought. That was the first gift he ever gave Mom, a box she couldn’t bear to throw away. Seeing me enter, he hurriedly got up and ran towards me, almost tripping: “Did your mother leave any words for me?” I glanced at Sarah, who stood timidly behind him, and shook my head: “Mom left in great pain, she couldn’t say anything.” Dad noticed my gaze, shifted his steps slightly, and subtly shielded Sarah. Even so, he was still worried and added: “Dad is sorry to you, this is all Dad’s fault. If you’re angry, take it out on Dad, don’t blame your sister, she’s not well.” There were still faint scars on his arm, made by me. My reputation for being rebellious and unfilial was known far and wide; I would get physical with my own father at the drop of a hat. And my dad was known as a good man, gentle, considerate, never even speaking a harsh word to anyone. Everyone’s eyes were telling me, go ahead and make a scene, just like usual, find a handy tool and smash it at them. But this time, I only felt exhausted. I understood why Mom told me before she left not to make trouble like before, that it would be very tiring. She had been tired for over a decade and didn’t want me to be like her. She wanted me to walk out, leave here, leave that home. “As long as Sarah is okay.” Dad’s eyes widened, seemingly in disbelief. I turned around holding Mom’s portrait and went into my room, closing the door. Over the years, to treat Sarah’s illness, the family’s savings were almost gone. The house was sold, the car was sold, and the current home was rented for us by my uncle. Sarah’s illness was almost cured, but my mom passed away because there was no money for timely treatment. In the afternoon, I went out and dyed my eye-catching red hair black, and combed up my heavy bangs. I wandered the streets for a while, not knowing where to go, and went to the cemetery again. I wanted Mom to see, she liked me looking well-behaved and spirited the most. When I returned, Dad was cooking, and Sarah was helping on the side. The two were talking about something, their faces beaming with smiles. Sarah even posted a moment on social media: [I have the best dad in the world.] The accompanying picture was a beautiful dress. I casually liked it, and the post was deleted very quickly. Sarah looked at me, her small face pale. Dad hurriedly walked over to explain: “Emily, she… she couldn’t wear dresses before because of her illness, just commemorating it, don’t be angry.” “It looks nice.” The two looked at each other, confused. I sat at the dinner table: “What’s for dinner tonight?” Sarah hurriedly brought the dishes out, surprised: “Sister dyed her hair back?” Only then did Dad notice: “Why did you think of dyeing your hair black?” I shrugged: “The school doesn’t allow students to have red hair.” Before, I always went against Sarah. She liked wearing white, I wore black. She was well-behaved and sensible, I was rebellious and flashy. I wanted to be different from this good child in everything. I thought, this way Dad would definitely see me, blame me, scold me, right? After all, before Sarah came, he devoted all his efforts to educating me, giving me everything he could. But no, he never scolded me for this. Actually, he never noticed my changes. His eyes only fell on Sarah, so I bullied Sarah, putting cigarette ash in her cup, deliberately spilling soup on her white clothes. Sure enough, Dad got angry and hit me for the first time. Mom had a huge fight with him because of this. Sarah was scared into an episode, and Dad took Sarah away from home for half a year. Finally, it was my uncle who came to mediate and took Mom to apologize before he came back. At night, I got up to drink water and found Dad hadn’t slept yet. He was sitting on the sofa mending clothes, Sarah’s school uniform. “Emily? Up for water?” “Mm.” He held the clothes somewhat awkwardly: “Dad will mend yours after finishing Sarah’s.” “I mended mine.” His eyes widened, staring at me motionlessly. Before, I would throw the clothes directly on his head, ordering him to mend them for me. If they weren’t torn, I would deliberately tear them. Whatever Sarah had, I had to have too. I thought by making a fuss, I would get it. Now, I don’t care anymore. After drinking water, I went in to study. I promised Mom I would get into college. 2 Over the past few years, I had fallen behind too much in my studies, and the teachers had given up on me. Fortunately, I called the teacher just now to ask about homework. Seeing the sake of my late mother, she told me kindly and suggested I buy some basic workbooks to start from the simplest. The next day at school, classmates and teachers were surprised to see me like this. The homeroom teacher nodded: “Look how spirited you look now. Before you looked like a little delinquent, what was good about that?” I stood up and bowed to apologize to the teachers: “Before, I was ignorant and caused trouble for all the teachers. I will study hard in the future.” If it weren’t for my mom repeatedly going to the school to plead with teachers and leaders, I would have probably been expelled long ago. I did these things to get Dad’s attention, but it only implicated Mom. He never came once. Many classmates thought I was from a single-parent family. The teacher even made a special home visit to help me. As a result, seeing that I was actually sisters with the model student Sarah, she sighed helplessly: “Growing up in the same family, how can there be such a big difference?” Dad hurriedly pulled Sarah to pour water for the teacher, humbly and flatteringly saying: “Our Sarah is in poor health, we still have to trouble the teacher to take care of her at school.” Mom and I stood silently aside. When Mom left, she left me some money. It was the college fund she had saved for me over the years. I signed up for online courses and studied like crazy for a month. My grades finally weren’t so infuriating. Sarah’s birthday arrived too. It was her eighteenth birthday, and Dad meant to organize a good one. However, our family had no money to eat out. He cooked himself and asked Sarah to invite friends to play at home. Mom’s portrait was still hanging in the house; her “first seven days” (mourning period) hadn’t even passed. The kitchen was full of ingredients Dad prepared, all Sarah’s favorites. “Sarah can’t eat spicy food.” Seeing me chopping Thai chili peppers, he said. I ignored him and continued chopping. He suddenly walked over, grabbed my hand, and snatched the knife away: “I told you, Sarah can’t eat spicy food. She just recovered from her illness. What do you want to do?” He shouted a few sentences and wasn’t satisfied, then earnestly educated me: “It’s your sister’s eighteenth birthday today. Let’s not make trouble, okay? Can we let her have a happy birthday? Consider it Dad begging you.” What about my eighteenth birthday? My eighteenth birthday was spent in the hospital with Mom. He didn’t even say happy birthday. It wasn’t until the next day when he saw the cake bag in the ward that he remembered and made up for it with a gift bought casually at the hospital entrance. “Sister.” Sarah screamed, “Your hand.” Only then did I feel a burning pain in my palm. Blood flowed down my fingertips to the floor. My palm was cut by the knife with a thin and long slit. Not deep, but a lot of blood gushed out. Dad was startled and hurriedly threw the knife on the cutting board. “Emily, Dad didn’t mean to.” His voice trembled a little, looking at my face carefully, “Dad will take you to the hospital to bandage it right now.” I pushed his hand away: “It’s Sarah’s birthday today.” His movement stopped. “I’ll go by myself. It’s not serious anyway.” After speaking, I took my phone and ID card and walked out of that home. I didn’t see Dad looking at my back for a long time at the door, murmuring: “Has Emily changed?” 3 I didn’t go to the hospital, just found a pharmacy and bandaged it myself. Then I went to the bookstore, bought test papers, and started working on them. I got seven out of ten questions wrong. Angry, I slammed my injured hand on the table, the pain almost making me jump up and scream. “Even if you self-harm, you still won’t know it. It’s an IQ problem.” I turned my head and saw Lucas Reed sitting behind me. He curled his lip and smiled maliciously: “It’s really rare to see you here.” He is the academic god. Before, I never felt how amazing he was. But a few days ago, the teacher proudly announced that he got full marks in math again. And me, thirty points. Thinking of this, my eyes couldn’t help but fill with adoration. “Hehe, we’ll meet often here in the future.” He shrank back: “Whoever you are, get out of Emily’s body quickly.” I wasn’t angry at all, brazenly moved quickly to his side: “Teach me.” He glanced casually: “Choose B.” “Why?” “Can only choose B.” Me: “…” All afternoon, I forgot my injured hand and almost gave the academic god a heart attack in the library. When it was getting dark, I packed up to go home. Lucas had a dark face. The moment he walked out of the library, he said hatefully: “I hope I never meet someone as stupid as you again in this life.” “Hehe.” He stepped back a few steps in fright: “What? Don’t even think about it.” My eyes reddened instantly: “You know, my mom just passed away. Her biggest wish was…” “Okay, okay, okay.” He raised his hands in surrender. “If you’re not afraid of being humiliated and scolded by me, I have nothing to be afraid of.” “Thank you, thank you.” I excitedly held his hand, “My mom will definitely come to thank you personally from the netherworld.” “Thank Auntie for me, personally is really not necessary.” The bus came, I ran over quickly, and sincerely thanked him again. This afternoon, I suffered the most insults since birth. Lucas is smart, studies well, looks good, and comes from a good family, but has almost no pursuers because his mouth is too poisonous. However, amidst the scolding, I completed a test paper for the first time. Turns out, doing problems can also be so fulfilling. When I went back, Sarah’s birthday party was over. As soon as I entered, Dad hurried over, made a “shh” gesture, and pointed to Sarah’s room. Only then did I hear sobbing coming from inside. “She invited a friend but he didn’t come, she’s sad, don’t provoke her.” I pushed him away and turned into my own room. After a while, Dad knocked and came in again: “How’s the hand? What did the doctor say?” As he spoke, he handed over an exquisite gift box from behind: “This is what Dad bought specially for you.” Inside must be a hairpin. I have received many identical ones. Every time he lost his temper with me because of Sarah, he would buy something to coax me. The price isn’t high, incomparable to Sarah’s gifts, but it’s wrapped by him personally, exquisite and beautiful, making it seem like he values and cherishes this daughter very much. But, I am just this spineless. Every time I received it, my resentment towards him dissipated, and then I sat happily in the corner, telling myself that he must love me. He only treats Sarah so well because of her poor health. “Thanks.” I took the gift and put it casually on the desk, then continued doing problems. He stood by my side, watched for a long time, and finally sighed and went out. When I came out after showering, I saw Sarah standing in front of my desk, wearing that new dress. She didn’t notice me coming in, just focused on examining my test paper, her hands trembling slightly. “Who let you in?” She turned around a beat slow, looking at me with red eyes. Only then did I see what she was holding was the test paper I snatched from Lucas. “This, this, where did you get this from?” A young girl’s thoughts are just this obvious. Actually, I discovered her crush on Lucas earlier than she did. “Do you think I stole it?” I walked slowly to her and took the test paper. There was no name written on it, but she recognized it at a glance. Like him this much? “Sister,” she also realized her loss of composure and hurriedly changed the subject, “I came to bring you cake, saved specially for you.” She held the cake carefully, looking at me. “Thanks, but I ate out with Lucas today, very full.” Her smile nearly cracked, but she still tried hard to maintain it: “Is, is that so? Then, I’ll put it in the fridge first.” Watching her fleeing back, I felt somewhat carefree in my heart, but this pleasure of revenge was fleeting and didn’t stay long. Over the years, Sarah tried every way to please me and my mom. No matter how I bullied her, she just wiped her tears secretly, and after wiping tears, followed my butt calling sister this and sister that. However, no matter what efforts she makes, it cannot cover up the fact that because of her, our family fell apart. The next day, as soon as I arrived in class, Lucas came over brazenly and snatched my schoolbag: “I’m checking if you slacked off last night.” Then, while checking, he scolded me as a pig over my wrong answers. I looked up slightly and saw Sarah looking at Lucas, looking somewhat pitiful. Feeling wronged just like this? Perhaps, I should be more intimate with Lucas to make her suffer more. But I couldn’t do it no matter what, finally just sat silently in my seat. “You can get this question wrong too? Do you really have no brain, or are you deliberately angering me?” I lay on the table, answering honestly: “Really no brain.” Lucas was stunned, coughed twice, and actually started explaining to me. With Lucas helping me, my grades indeed improved relatively fast. By the end of the first mock exam, I was no longer at the bottom of the class. The teacher even specially issued a certificate to praise me, asking me to call my dad over, saying he wanted to award me in front of the parent. Since I went astray and rebellious, I had never received a certificate again. “My dad doesn’t have time.” The teacher was somewhat disappointed. But when I got home, I saw Dad made a big table of dishes saying to celebrate my progress. Seeing Sarah beside him, I knew what was going on. “Sister, these are all made by Dad specially for you.” I looked at the table full of bland dishes. Made for me? “Let’s eat.” I ate without tasting, then went into the room. Sarah whispered: “Sister seems unhappy?” Dad answered her: “Your sister has had this bad temper since she was little, unpredictable, don’t mind her.” When I was about to sleep, Dad knocked and came in, praising my progress again, and saying he would make me nutritious meals every day. “Just say it if you have something.” He was interrupted by me from painting a big picture (making empty promises), and wasn’t angry. After thinking for more than ten seconds, he said: “I remember your mom left two gold bracelets, right?” 4 My heart lifted instantly, looking at him warily. “Although Sarah’s surgery was successful, this medicine still needs to be taken for a while, so Dad thought…” “Don’t even think about it.” To treat Sarah’s illness, everything in the house that could be sold was sold. Only these two gold bracelets were left by Grandma. My mom had a huge fight with him and almost jumped off the building to keep them. This also became the only thought Mom left for me besides the pile of old clothes and shoes given by others. “Don’t worry, when Sarah gets better, Dad will definitely return them to you.” I stood up, trying hard to control my anger: “How return? This is what Mom left me, can you buy them back?” “No no no,” he waved his hands repeatedly, “Dad will definitely buy a pair of better ones for you.” “Get out.” I pointed at the door, “Do you have a conscience? What kind of life have Mom and I lived for Sarah these years? Now that she’s dead, you still covet her things. Are you human?” His face instantly turned cold, but after a few seconds, he looked like a good old man again: “Dad has been unfair to you these years, but Sarah is the sister who grew up with you. Are you going to watch her die?” “What does her life or death have to do with me?” I shouted at him hoarsely, “It’s best if she dies.” Slap!!! I lost my balance and fell to the ground. My left face went numb instantly, and my ears were buzzing. It took a long time for the dizziness to disappear, and my face followed with burning pain. “Do you still look like a daughter? I came to discuss with you because my temper is too good.” Saying that, he was about to push me away to find things. However, turning my room upside down, he couldn’t find those two bracelets. “Where are the things?” “Sold.” “Where’s the money?” I smiled coldly: “Spent.” “You…” He raised his hand to hit me again but was hugged by Sarah who rushed in suddenly. “Dad, I still have medicine, don’t hit sister.” I don’t know how much sincerity was in her persuasion, and I didn’t care to check. David Song (Dad) pointed at me with trembling fingers: “Get out.” I slowly got up, packed my few clothes into my schoolbag, took my ID: “Do you think I want to stay in this house?” If it weren’t for Mom’s shadow here, I wouldn’t want to look at them again. I put on my bag and strode out. David Song was still cursing behind me: “If you leave today, don’t think about entering this house again.” “Don’t worry,” my steps didn’t stop, “I won’t come back.”

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At the Marshall Corporation annual gala, my father was scheduled to announce the company’s successor. Every eye in the ballroom was fixed on me, the CEO’s daughter, who had spent the last eight years grinding as the Executive Vice President. But in the next breath, Father announced my cousin, Piper Marshall, would inherit the company and assume the role of President. The room erupted in a stunned silence, quickly followed by a low, collective gasp. I was frozen, my face burning with shock. My voice trembled as I finally challenged him: “I’ve dedicated eight years to this company, running myself ragged. And I’m your daughter.” “Piper just graduated. On what basis is she named President?” Father’s expression was cold, distant. “Because Piper is stronger than you. She will surpass your eight years of accomplishments in one.” I stood there, processing the cruelty of his words, then threw my head back and let out a raw, desperate laugh that felt more like a scream. I knew that wasn’t the real reason. It was his tired, old excuse: maintaining his reputation for absolute impartiality—his desire to “avoid suspicion” at all costs. Since he was once again giving what was mine to Piper, I decided to take the core team and start my own venture. I would no longer be his daughter. … 1 My hysterical laughter made the entire ballroom stare. The smile Father had been wearing instantly vanished, replaced by a mask of cold fury. “Did you forget your meds this morning? What is this grotesque display?” he hissed. “I have gone mad,” I replied, the laughter dying in my throat. I held his gaze, refusing to look away. “You pushed me there.” “When this company was on the brink of collapse, I was the one out in the blistering heat, landing clients and stabilizing the market. I suffered heatstroke half a dozen times that summer.” “I designed the product that became our biggest success—the one that launched us into profitability! I worked a week straight, pulling all-nighters, and nearly collapsed from exhaustion!” Every word I spoke landed like a hammer blow. I saw a dozen heads nod in agreement among the crowd. They all knew the truth of my contributions. But Father’s face only grew colder. He clenched his jaw. “Enough! Why are you shouting and making a scene? You’re embarrassing me!” “I admit you’ve had some contributions, but they pale in comparison to Piper. She’s only just returned, and she’s already secured the deal with VentureTech, the international conglomerate.” “You worked for a year and failed to finalize that agreement.” Hearing that, I was struck by lightning, utterly stunned. That deal, the one he was talking about, was my year-long battle. I had worn through countless pairs of heels and exhausted every contact to finally bring it to the finish line. Father had promised to announce the good news at the gala, but I never imagined he would pin the credit on Piper. All to protect his perfect image and to appear “impartial.” At that moment, Piper stepped forward, feigning humility. “Uncle Marshall, I truly don’t have the experience. I shouldn’t take this role.” “Let Rachel have it. Please, don’t let this damage your relationship. I’d be happy to serve as Vice President.” Listen to how noble she sounded. It made her look humble and generous, while also ensuring she landed the second-highest position—a cushy path to wealth and power. Father, blind to her manipulation, rounded on me again. “Look at Piper. She’s so mature and considerate! And look at you—always causing me trouble.” “The presidency is settled. Piper Marshall will lead the company. Any dissent will result in immediate termination.” “Including yours.” He glared at me, his eyes full of icy threat. Next to him, Piper’s mouth curved into a faint, barely perceptible smile. The crowd buzzed with whispers. Their eyes on me ranged from pity to outright mockery. Some were already praising Piper, positioning themselves to align with the new power. My heart turned to ash. I looked at Father with complete despair and said, “Then let Piper be your daughter.” “I quit.” The room went silent. Everyone, including Father, stared at me, shocked that I would sever all family and professional ties so definitively. I didn’t wait another second. I turned and walked toward the exit. But just as I reached the hallway, he caught up. 2 “Rachel.” Father grabbed my arm, his brow furrowed in frustration. “Can’t you ever act like a mature adult? Arguing with me in front of everyone makes us a laughingstock.” “Piper’s parents died young. We have a duty to take care of her!” “And right now, I have to maintain corporate optics! As soon as I win the Entrepreneur of the Year award, I’ll find a way to make you President.” “Now, come back inside. Apologize to everyone, including Piper! Tell them you’re willing to be her second-in-command!” I had foolishly hoped, for a second, that he had regretted his decision, but this was yet another brutal blow. “Years ago, I earned a place in the foreign exchange program through merit, and you took my spot and gave it to Piper, who was sleeping through her college classes.” “You said it was to ‘avoid suspicion.’” “You said she was alone in the world and I should be the bigger person.” “You said I could go later.” “But what was the result?” I lifted my gaze to meet his. This had been the pattern my entire life. In elementary, middle, and high school, I was always a top student, but I was never allowed to enroll in the best schools. Father always said it was to “avoid suspicion.” Yet, he would turn around, pull strings, and send the academically underperforming Piper to those exact schools. For years, I wondered if I simply wasn’t good enough, which only pushed me to work harder. Now I understood. Nothing I did would ever be enough. Piper would always be his priority, and “impartiality” was just a convenient weapon to hurt me. It was as if I’d exposed his deepest secret. Father’s face flushed with angry shame. He spat out a threat. “Rachel, if you keep this up, you will never be welcome back at Marshall Corporation!” His cold eyes were full of malice. “Fine.” This time, I didn’t back down. I turned and walked away. Father froze. He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but nothing came out. When I walked out of the hotel, the winter wind was as sharp and cutting as his words. It chilled me to the bone. Dad, I thought, I can stand on my own now. I don’t need you. I took a deep breath and sent a message to my college friend, Noah Sullivan, who came from a powerful, old-money family in the city: I hear you’re drowning in cash. Interested in investing in me? I am! Noah’s reply was instant: Meet me at our spot tonight. We can talk about it. I can also show you the eight-pack I’ve been working on! I smiled faintly. The guy always flirted with me the second he found out I was single. I drove home to pack my things. As soon as I walked in, I saw my mother sitting on the living room sofa. “Mom, I—” Before I could finish, she grabbed the nearest throw pillow and hurled it at my face. “Why did you publicly humiliate your father? Why do you constantly try to undermine Piper?” “It’s just a title, the presidency. They’re all Marshalls. What does it matter who sits in the chair?” She had clearly been briefed on the situation. And just as I expected, there was no comfort, only accusation. I took a deep, steadying breath. “They’re all Marshalls. What does it matter who your daughter is?” I countered quietly. “Go let Piper call you Mom and Dad.” I didn’t have the energy for a fight, just a weary finality. “You…” Enraged, Mother lunged forward and delivered a stinging slap across my cheek. “It’s because you’re always so disrespectful! So defiant! That’s why you’ll never be President!” I swallowed the metallic taste of blood and laughed a short, hollow laugh. “Mom,” I said, looking her dead in the eye. “You say I’m disrespectful? That I defy you?” “Since you brought Piper home, have I not given her everything—the best food, the best clothes, everything I owned?” “The elementary school spot, the college exchange program—you gave it all to Piper. She even hit someone with her car once, and I was the one who took the blame.” “In college, you ‘poor-fed’ me to keep up your facade of impartiality, giving me a $300 monthly stipend while Piper got a $3,000 allowance.” “Did I defy you then? Was I not obedient enough?” Confronted with the stark reality of my sacrifice, my mother was momentarily speechless. I didn’t linger. I walked into my room, quickly packed a single suitcase, and prepared to leave. “What is this? Are you running away?” Mother finally burst out. Her tone held no apology, only escalating anger. I didn’t answer, just quietly walked past her and toward the front door. I heard her shouting from behind me: “Rachel Marshall! It’s just the presidency! Why are you making such a drama out of it!” “If you walk out that door tonight, you are never to come back! I’ll pretend I never gave birth to you!” 3 I had heard those words countless times growing up. Yet, because of that stubborn belief in blood ties, I always held onto the hope of their eventual approval. That’s why I was never able to leave before. But this time, I closed the door with a loud, resolute slam. The cold wind outside felt warmer than my own house. I didn’t have a car. Father had said he needed to “avoid suspicion,” so people wouldn’t say he spoiled me. Mother had added that Piper didn’t have a license or a car yet, and she didn’t want my cousin to feel bad. As I reached the curb, a sleek, black Aston Martin pulled up next to me. The window slid down, revealing the handsome, cocky face of Noah Sullivan. I slid into the passenger seat, confused. “What are you doing here? I thought we agreed on our usual spot.” “The whole city knows you had a spectacular falling out with your family,” Noah replied. I blinked, then opened my phone. A headline from a major news outlet immediately popped up. MARSHALL CORP. CUTS OFF DAUGHTER, NAMES NIECE HEIR. LAVISH INAUGURATION GALA PLANNED FOR TOMORROW NIGHT. BREAKING: RACHEL MARSHALL DISOWNS PARENTS, NOW HOMELESS AND ALONE. News travels fast. Almost instantly, two messages from my parents appeared. Without the Marshall name, who will recognize you? Think carefully! Stop being selfish! Come back now and apologize to your father and Piper. Say some nice things, and they’ll forgive you. Otherwise, you’ll starve outside, and no one will bury your body. I didn’t reply. I just laughed to myself. Starve? No one will recognize my face? We’ll see about that. Noah took me to a low-key upscale lounge. I walked in, looked up, and saw a familiar figure. My pupils immediately contracted. It was Gavin Thorne—my childhood best friend and my ex-boyfriend. He was currently wrapped in Piper Marshall’s arms, a sickeningly sweet smile plastered on his face. “Seriously, Rachel,” Noah muttered, shaking his head. “You’re such a dummy. Those two were hooking up when they were studying abroad.” Boom. My brain went silent. I felt ridiculous. My parents had actually pressured me to give Gavin to Piper years ago. The absurd excuse then was that they didn’t want people to say they were using corporate power to force Gavin to marry me. I had adamantly refused, enduring a week of their furious silence and threats, but I wouldn’t budge. Later, Gavin left to study overseas, and we maintained a long-distance relationship for four years, with me covering nearly all his expenses. But on the day he returned, he broke up with me. His eyes were red then, as he told me, “Rachel, your parents’ pressure is too much. They will never agree to us. We have to break up. I don’t want to hold you back.” I desperately tried to salvage things. I told him my savings, while not massive, were enough for us to start fresh anywhere else. But he blocked me everywhere. For months, I was a wreck, consumed by guilt and self-blame. I believed I had failed to give Gavin the security he needed. I had failed to keep him. Now, this scene was a brutal slap across the face. Gavin saw me, his eyes widening in alarm. He quickly lowered his head, but Piper violently yanked him forward to greet me. “Cousin,” Piper cooed. “I’ve been meaning to tell you, but I didn’t know how. Please don’t be mad.” “Gavin and I are true love!” In that instant, my rage flared. I lifted my hand, ready to deliver a punch to Piper. But Gavin stepped directly in front of her. “Enough, Rachel!” “Do you have any dignity? How could you try to hit Piper like that!” 4 I stood still, shaking as I whispered, “Why… why…?” Gavin was silent for a few seconds before giving his answer. “Because you’re the cast-off daughter! Piper is your aunt and uncle’s pride! She’s the future heir of the Marshall family!” His words were a physical blow, a scythe that sliced a chunk out of my heart. I was in so much pain that all I could do was laugh. Love. Family. None of it could stand against the harsh calculus of profit and status. Noah started to argue on my behalf, but I stopped him. I grabbed his arm and turned away. There was no point in wasting breath. The only way to win was with power, to prove who was stronger, who would shine brighter, and who would get the last laugh. “Cousin!” Piper suddenly chased after us, holding out a sleek card. “My inauguration dinner is tomorrow. You absolutely must come.” A triumphant, challenging smirk played on her lips. I realized then: this wasn’t a coincidence. Piper had staged this entire encounter. Why else would she be carrying invitations? “I’ll be there,” I said. I took the invitation, turned, and walked out without looking back, a cold smile forming on my own lips. Once in the car, I said to Noah, “I need a favor.” “Don’t worry, big plans are already in motion for tomorrow.” Noah thumped his chest, a predatory glint in his eye. We exchanged a look. No words were needed. We were on the same page. The next day. I arrived precisely on time at the grand hotel where Father was holding Piper’s celebration banquet. The guests hadn’t arrived yet. My parents, Piper, and Gavin all turned cold faces on me. “Hmph.” Father sneered. “Look how thoughtful Piper is—she even invited you, despite everything. She’s worried about your feelings. And all you know how to do is act like a jealous child!” “Apologize to your father and Piper, and we’ll forget the past. This is your last chance, Rachel. Don’t be foolish.” My mother chimed in. They didn’t seem surprised about Gavin and Piper at all. It appeared their actions years ago—blocking my foreign exchange, for instance—were all part of a calculated plan to secretly push the two of them together. “Cousin, there’s no room for bad blood in family. Just swallow your pride.” Piper’s smile was openly mocking now. Gavin immediately backed her up. “Being named Vice President is already a huge affirmation of your abilities from your aunt and uncle. You should be grateful.” I dismissed their self-important pontificating with a quiet, scornful smile. “Who said I was here to attend the party?” My parents paused, then scoffed, clearly thinking I’d gone completely mad. Just then, a wave of luxury cars pulled up outside the hotel. “Let’s go,” Father grumbled, giving me one last angry glance. “Ignore this disobedient child. We have guests to greet.” He, Mother, Piper, and Gavin marched toward the entrance to receive the city’s elite. The entire who’s-who of the city’s business community was there. But they all stood at the door, refusing to enter the hotel. Father looked confused. “What are you all waiting for? Please, come in!” But the crowd remained still. “They’re waiting for my permission.” I slowly walked up to the entrance.

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I was in the delivery room, in labor, when my husband called. “Isla,” he said, his voice calm and matter-of-fact. “I’m cheating on you.” “Let’s get a divorce now, before the baby is born.” “Ruby is young. She can’t handle the scandal and the gossip.” “I have to make it official with her.” “And don’t even think about using the baby to trap me.” “You of all people should know how painful it is for a child to be born unwanted.” I looked at the photo he sent me and nodded, my heart strangely quiet. I didn’t scream or have a hysterical breakdown like I had before. And I didn’t tell him that the precious, innocent girl he was so desperate to protect… Was a party girl with AIDS. And that after all his… indulgence, he probably wouldn’t even live to see the divorce finalized. 1 When Declan Lancaster came to the hospital with the divorce papers, I had just given birth. It was a difficult delivery. I was barely hanging on. He looked at my pale, drawn face and frowned, a flicker of annoyance in his eyes. There was no concern, no tenderness. Only irritation that I had gone against his wishes. “I told you not to have this baby.” “Ruby doesn’t like the idea of a child competing for my attention.” I looked down at the sleeping infant in my arms and managed a weak, tired smile. “Couldn’t be helped. You called a little too late.” “By the time you were proposing to your Ruby, I was already on the operating table.” The baby wasn’t due yet. But a package from Ruby containing a dead rat had sent me into premature labor. While I was at the hospital, waiting, I called Declan countless times. He never picked up. As I was being wheeled into the operating room, the sky outside exploded in a shower of fireworks. I looked closer. It was Declan, trying to make his little mistress happy. A multi-million dollar proposal. A path of roses, a sky full of light. And there, spelled out in the darkness by a fleet of drones, were the words: “I love you, Ruby.” I gave birth to our child amidst the crackle of his celebration. The doctors issued multiple critical condition notices. My phone calls went unanswered. In the end, I had to grit my teeth and sign the surgical consent form myself. And what a coincidence. He showed up right after the baby was born. Not out of concern for me or his child. He was here to rush me into signing the papers. To tell me to take the baby and get lost, to make way for his new love. I sighed a silent, weary sigh. But I forced a smile and took the divorce agreement from his hand. As I shifted to sit up, the movement tore at the stitches on my stomach. Bright red blood instantly soaked through the gauze. Declan’s frown only deepened. “Don’t bother playing the victim with me, Isla.” “I’m not a heartless man. I’ll be generous with the money.” “Just sign the papers, and I’ll pay the child support in one lump sum. You’ll be comfortable.” My hand, holding the pen, paused. I looked at his cold, handsome face and felt… nothing. Not even a pang of sadness. I suppose I had already cried all my tears. I remember when I first found out he was cheating. I had cried, screamed, even threatened to kill myself. I had one foot out the window, and he just stood there, his expression bored. “Stop crying, Isla. I lost feelings for you a long time ago.” “Your tears used to break my heart.” “But now… they just make me sick.” That night, he left without a backward glance, rushing off to Ruby’s side. He left me to cry myself unconscious. I cried for a long, long time. And I finally understood just how cruel a man can be when his heart has moved on. Fueled by a bitter desire for revenge, I started digging into Ruby’s background. I was going to burn his world to the ground. I wanted everyone to see the ugly truth behind his perfect facade. But the moment I saw her picture, everything changed. All the hatred, all the resentment, it all just… evaporated. Because I recognized her immediately. The pure, innocent angel in Declan’s eyes was a former patient of mine, one I had treated for AIDS. Declan has a congenital heart condition. An infection like that could kill him. In that instant, I felt a sense of release. Fate has a way of making the unfaithful pay. All I had to do was wait for the right moment to give it a little push. So, I stopped fighting. I stopped making scenes. I focused on my pregnancy, playing the part of the polite and dignified Mrs. Lancaster. And I waited, quietly, for the day Declan would die. 2 My hesitation was clearly starting to annoy him. He tapped his fingers impatiently on the table. “What are you stalling for now, Isla?” “Did you think having the baby would make me see you differently?” “Let me be clear. I don’t love you. And I could never love a child you gave birth to.” “If you refuse to sign, I’ll file for divorce myself, and I’ll make sure your child grows up with the same miserable life you had!” It’s always the ones who know you best who can hurt you the most. When I was eighteen, my parents divorced. My father forced my mother out with nothing and publicly disowned me. He forbade me from using his name, inheriting his wealth, or having any connection to him whatsoever. I became the laughingstock of our social circle. An outcast, ridiculed and alone. Back then, Declan was the only one by my side. He walked me to and from school every day. He stood in front of me when others tried to bully me. He held me when I was heartbroken and told me, “You’re the best, Isla.” “Even if the whole world abandons you, I will always be here.” “I love you. And I will give you the happy, complete family you deserve.” Because of that promise, I gave up my dreams of literature to study medicine, all to cure him. I stood by him through a brutal and dangerous battle for his inheritance. I sacrificed my career and my ambitions to become a stay-at-home wife, trying to start a family. I thought we had finally made it through the worst of it. But then, while I was pregnant, he got lonely. He cheated on me with Ruby. When I found out, there was no guilt in his eyes. No shame for his betrayal. He just looked at me calmly and said, “I can’t help it, Isla. I didn’t want this to happen.” “But the other day, when I saw the stretch marks on your stomach, I suddenly felt… disgusted.” “I can’t feel any desire for you. But I’m a man. I have needs.” “And Ruby… she gives me a thrill, a feeling I’ve never had before.” “So, she deserves a title. She deserves respect.” The Lancaster family was old-money, with strict rules. Declan had always prided himself on his clean image. He looked down on men who kept mistresses and had messy affairs. So, he simply asked for a divorce. At the time, I was only a few weeks pregnant. To get what I wanted, to see him pay for what he had done, I swallowed every last bit of my pride. Even when he started taking Ruby to public events. Even when he told the press I was a desperate, clingy shrew. I endured it all. For this moment. I picked up the pen and signed my name on the divorce agreement with a firm, steady hand. Just then, his phone rang. It was Ruby, her voice a sweet, cloying pout. “Declan, are you done yet?” “I’m all dressed up and waiting for you.” “You’re not getting soft just because she had the baby, are you? You’re not backing out of the divorce?” “If you are, I’m never speaking to you again!” He glanced at the risqué photo she sent. His breath hitched, and his voice dropped to a low murmur. He soothed her with the same soft, careful words he used to use on me. Then he snatched the signed papers from the table and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. The sharp edge of the paper sliced a thin, red line across my palm. The loud bang of the door startled the baby, who immediately began to wail. A doctor rushed in to see what was wrong. Declan never once looked back. I sighed and was about to comfort the baby when the doctor grabbed my hand. “What happened to your hand? Did he do that?” “Come with me, we need to run some tests. Don’t you know he has…” He couldn’t bring himself to say the word. But I looked up, a genuine smile spreading across my face. “I’ve been managing Declan’s health for years. Of course, I know.” I had received his test results yesterday. They were exactly what I expected. HIV-positive. The virus had already begun to attack his cardiovascular system. A simple cold, a sneeze, a moment of exertion… Any of it could be enough to kill him. So, for the next month, the closer he got to Ruby, the closer he got to his own grave. 3 While I was recovering in the hospital, Declan and Ruby were celebrating. He bought her a mansion and a diamond ring, announcing to the world that she was the true Mrs. Lancaster. It was like he was a teenager again, caught in a whirlwind romance. They partied in exclusive clubs and made promises of forever under the Eiffel Tower, as if I had never existed. I ignored their antics and focused on my next steps. Once I was strong enough, I took the baby to the Lancaster estate. To secure my inheritance, to gain a foothold in the family company, I needed to win over the patriarch, Old Man Lancaster. As I entered the house, I was met with the sound of a furious argument. Mr. Lancaster threw a teacup at Declan, his voice a roar. “You disgraceful fool!” “You raised hell to be with that woman in the first place, and now, after all this time, you want a divorce?” “You’ve shamed the Lancaster name for generations to come!” Declan’s lips were a thin, tight line. He stood silently, protectively shielding Ruby behind him. The stubborn set of his jaw gave me a flash of déjà vu. Years ago, he had knelt before his grandfather just like this, begging for permission to marry me. As the sole heir, a more suitable match had already been arranged for him. But Declan refused. He was determined to be with me. He had knelt there, just as defiantly as he was standing now, until the entire family relented. He hadn’t changed at all. The only difference was the woman standing beside him, the woman he loved. It wasn’t me anymore. I hesitated, unsure if I should interrupt. Just then, the baby in my arms began to cry. Declan turned at the sound, but he made no move to help. He just glared at me, annoyed that I was disturbing him as I fumbled to soothe the baby. Finally, the housekeeper, Mrs. Gable, took pity on me and took the baby from my arms. The sight of his great-grandson did nothing to soften Mr. Lancaster’s expression. He tossed a photo onto the table in front of me. “I don’t care about your petty squabbles.” “But you will not damage this family’s reputation or the company’s stock price.” “Explain this!” It was a screenshot from one of Ruby’s live streams. As a former influencer, she never missed an opportunity to flaunt her wealth and new relationship. During a broadcast the day before, a viewer had spotted a box of HIV medication on her vanity. It was a small detail, but it had caused a stir online. The Lancaster PR team had managed to suppress it, but not before it reached the old man. I looked at Declan’s pale, strained face and stepped forward. “It was a misunderstanding,” I said calmly. “It’s a new drug my research team is developing.” “I will issue a statement to the media and clear this up. The Lancaster name will not be tarnished.” My composed, responsible response seemed to satisfy him. He nodded, then gave Declan a long, meaningful look. He took out a small golden locket and placed it around the baby’s neck. “Don’t you worry, Isla.” “You have given this family its heir. We will not let you be mistreated.” “If Declan here causes any more trouble, you come to me. I’ll teach this arrogant boy a lesson he won’t forget.” I no longer needed anyone to fight my battles. When my marriage first fell apart, everyone—the Lancasters, my friends—they all took his side. They criticized my flaws, accused me of not being understanding enough. Declan himself had said to me, his voice full of contempt, “You’re just the girl your family threw away. Who are you to challenge me? I can make or break you with a single word.” That’s when I understood. Love, affection… it’s all fleeting. The only things that are real are power and money. After finally calming Mr. Lancaster down, I was ready to leave. I hadn’t even reached the end of the driveway when Declan’s hand swung out and connected with my face.

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